Author(s): Hiwet Zelalem Fisseha, Wondwossen Lerebo and Kidan Abreha Teferi
Introduction: Even though sexual activity has been claimed to produce health benefits, worldwide sexual risk taking behavior accounts for large number of opportunities for sexually transmitted infection including human immunodeficiency virus and unintended pregnancy. This study is intended to describe magnitude of substance abuse and predictors of risky sexual behavior among students in Axum University.
Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design, multistage sampling technique and self administered questionnaire were used in March 2013 to collect data on 636 students (61.3% males). Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression was employed to describe and identify factors associated, respectively. STATA version 11 software packages were used.
Result: Response rate for the study was 96%. About 192(30.2%) participants ever had sexual intercourse. The median age at first sexual intercourse was 18 (IQR: 16-19) years. Students who abused any substance were 4 times [AOR=3.96; 95%CI: 1.927, 8.131] more likely practiced risky sexual behavior. Students who were watching pornography, not discussing about SRH with their parents, not visiting religious service place, not using university cafeteria, attending night club, being male and not having enough income for basic needs increase the likelihood practicing risky sexual behavior.
Conclusion: Significant number of sexually active respondents in Axum University had usually practiced risky sexual behavior. Substance use and sexual intercourse were started at early schooling. Sex, pocket income, substance abused, religiosity, attending night clubs, watching pornography and mother education were found as predictors for risky sexual behavior. University and different stakeholder should work together to prevent and control risky sexual practices and to strengthen substance use control policies.
