Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Risky Sexual Behaviors among Adolescents of Jimma University Community High School, South West Ethiopia, 2015

Abstract

Background: Sexual activities among adolescents have been reported as increasing worldwide. Risky sexual behaviors are among the factors that increase the likelihood of adverse sexual and reproductive health consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion, STIs including HIV/AIDS and others. Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia are highly exposed to various risky sexual behaviors. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards risky sexual behaviors among adolescents of Jimma university community high school Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Total sample size of the study was selected by using stratified random sampling technique with proportional allocation to size of each stratum. Data was collected using structured, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using chi-square and p value less than 0.05 was considered forstatically significant. Result: Majority of the respondents 73.8% knew about risks of sexual behaviors. Above 1/3 (34.93%) of them got information about sexual matter from parents.76.86% had good knowledge about risky sexual behavior. About 32.75% of them had at least one sexual intercourse before the study. Among them, 27.07% had sex 3 months prior to the study, out of which only 43.55% used condom and 36 (58.06%) had sex with multiple partners; 6.11% &15.72% practiced homosexuality and masturbation respectively. Conclusion: There was high practice of sexual activity, high prevalence of premarital sex, low utilization of condom and contraceptives and only around half of the participants thought that condom prevents HIV/AIDS.