RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AMONG IN-SCHOOL YOUTHS: THE INFLUENCE OF PORNOGRAPHY USE AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON STUDENTS IN ASSOSA, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Introduction: This study investigated the influence of pornography use and socio-environmental factors on risky sexual behavior among in-school youths in Assosa, Ethiopia. Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 317 students, FGDs and key-informant interviews. Results: Pornography use had 24.6 % prevalence among the students. 31.2% of the students have started sexual intercourse, with 22.7% started sex before the age of 18 years. Gender (AOR [95% CI] = 3.2 [1.173, 8.734]), educational status of the students (AOR [95% CI] = 0.141 [0.025, 0.797]), religious attendance (AOR [95% CI] = 0.259 [0.088, 0.765]), pornography use (AOR [95% CI] = 6.401 [1.788, 22.919]) and alcohol use (AOR [95% CI] = 3.449 [1.359, 8.754]) have significantly influenced risky sexual behavior. Qualitative data revealed peer pressure, exposure to western media and less communication with parents about sex as influencing students’ sexual behavior. Conclusion: Pornography use and social-environmental factors strongly influenced students’ risky sexual behavior: early sexual initiation, unprotected sexual intercourse and having sex with multiple sexual partners