Prevalence and Associated Factors of Risky Sexual Behavior among Debremarkos University Regular Undergraduate Students, Debremarkos Town North West Ethiopia, 2016

Background: In adolescents and young people risky sexual behavior is a priority public health concern because of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Objectives: To assess the magnitude of risky sexual behaviours and associated factors among Debre Markos University students, Debre Markos Town, North West Ethiopia December 2015 – February 2016. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 631 undergraduate regular Debre Markos University students. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the students and a pretested structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Epi info version 7.1.2.0 was used to enter the data and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The association between factors and the risky sexual behaviors were analyzed with bivariate logistic regression and variables with p-value of 0.05 were transferred to multivariate analysis. Results: Among 631 study participants 282 (44.7%) had reported they have sexual experience before this survey was conducted. The mean age of sexual debut was 18.25 years. From 282 sexually active students, 164 (58.15%, 95% CI (56.18%, 60.11%)) had at least one of the risky sexual behaviours i.e. inconsistent condom use (80, 48.8%), multiples sexual partners (73, 44.5%) or having sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers (11, 6.7%) in their lifetime. Early sexual debut (AOR 2.234, 95%CI (1.194, 4.178) p = 0.012), Alcohol Drinking (AOR 4.554 95%CI (2.214, 8.591), p=0.005) cigarette smoking (AOR 2.506, 95%CI (1.346, 4.665), p <0.001), khat chewing (AOR 6.989, 95%CI (3.383, 14.027) low self-esteem (AOR 2.506, 95%CI (1.346, 4.665), p <0.001) were factors associated with risky sexual behaviors practiced among students. Conclusion and recommendation: This study has showed that risky sexual behaviors are practiced among Debre Markos University students; therefore programs that encourage consistent condom, avoidance of early sexual initiation and prevention and control of substance use in the university compound are recommended.