article · Pan African Medical Journal
A cross-sectional survey of 604 university students investigated the prevalence and determinants of premarital sexual activity. Using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, the study identified that 54.3 percent of participants engaged in premarital sexual practice, with a mean age at first sexual debut of 18.7 years. Just over half of these activities were driven by a desire to satisfy sexual interest. Statistical analysis revealed that being male, watching pornography, and attaining high academic performance were significant predictors of premarital sexual activity. Based on these associations, the findings suggest that institutional entities such as health science faculties, gender offices, and HIV resource centres should design targeted behavioural change programmes to address sexual health risks among students.
Youth sexual activity carries implications for the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Identifying the specific demographic, behavioural, and academic factors associated with early sexual debut provides university support services and public health coordinators with the necessary evidence to tailor reproductive health education, counselling, and risk-reduction initiatives to student populations.
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INTRODUCTION: Adolescents are susceptible to different social, peer and cultural pressures that Drives them into earlier sexual experimentation. Despite the fact that delaying sexual activity until marriage reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS and various sexually transmitted infections (STI), sexual activities among youths have been reported to be increasing worldwide. METHODS: Institution Based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 2016 to March 2016. A total of 604 students were included in the study using multi-stage sampling technique. Mixed Quantitative and Qualitative approach was applied. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with premarital sexual practice. RESULTS: The proportion of premarital sexual practice in the study area was found to be 54.3%. The mean age of first sexual debut was 18.7±1.96. Half (50.6%) of these sexual activities were performed because of student's interest to meet their sexual desire. Being Male, watching pornography and High academic performance were the factors significantly associated with premarital sexual practice. CONCLUSION: The study had revealed that more than half of the participants were sexually active. Being male, watching pornography and high academic performance were predictors of premarital sexual practice. Therefore, Institute of Medicine and health science, gender office and HIV resource center have to organize different programs targeting at bringing behavioral change to minimize the prevailing prevalence of premarital sexual practice as well as its common consequences.
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DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.234.12125
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