Sexual Behaviour, Knowledge and Aware-ness of Related Reproductive Health Issues among Single Youth in Ethiopia
),
(1) Nairawebs Design
Corresponding Author
Abstract
This nationally representative study, encompassing all single youth (15-24 years), was carried out on the subpopulation of Ethiopia DHS 2000 to determine the influences of socio-demographic characteristics on sexual behaviour, and assess the knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. There were a total of 890 male and 3,988 female youth. 25.5% of males and 16.1% of females ever had sexual intercourse. Among these, 65.8% males and 24.6% females had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months. Condom use in the last sexual act was reported by 22.7% and 10% of male and female youth. 19.4% of male and 22.2% of female youth who ever had sexual intercourse ever used family planning method. Although the majority of youth is aware of HIV/AIDS, awareness about other STIs is low. On binary logistic regression analysis, the odds of ever having sexual intercourse were higher for the employed and older youth. Male urban youth was more likely to ever have sexual intercourse than male rural youth (Adjusted OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.8-9.5). Male youth with some form of education were more likely to use condom (Adjusted OR 4.9; 95% CI 1.01-24.7). Female youth with some form of education, the risk of ever having sexual intercourse was reduced by 50% but they were more likely to report having ³ 2 sexual partners in the last 12 months (Adjusted OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1-4.1). Female youth who had media exposure were more likely to report having ³ 2 sexual partners in the last 12 months (Adjusted OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.3-6.8) but more likely to use condom during last sexual intercourse (Adjusted OR 15.7; 95% CI 2.2-117). Among single Ethiopian youth the overall sexual activity is relatively lower than reported from other African countries but high risk sexual behaviour is common. Socio-demographic factors influence youth sexual behaviour.
Keywords: Knowledge and awareness of related reproductive health issues
References
Goodburn EA, Ross DA. Young people's health in developing countries: a neglected problem and opportunity. Health Policy and Planning 2000; 15: 137-144.
Bongaarts J. Population policy options in the developing world. Science 1994; 263: 771-776.
Wellings K, Wadsworth J, Johnson A, Field J, Macdowall W. Teenage Fertility and Life Chances. Reviews of Reproduction 1997; 4: 184-190.
Kaaya SF, Flisher AJ, Mbwambo JK, Schaalma H, Aaro LE, Klepp KI. A review of studies of sexual behaviour of school students in Sub-Saharan Africa. Scand J Public Health 2002; 30: 148-60.
Central Statistical Authority of Ethiopia and ORC MACRO. Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2000. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Calverton, Maryland. USA.
Gorgen R, Yansane ML, Marx M, Millimounou D. Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes among Unmarried Urban Youths in Guinea. International Family Planning Perspectives1998; 24: 65-71.
Glover EK, Bannerman A, Pence BW, Jones H, Miller R, Weiss E, Narquaye-Tetteh J. Sexual Health Experiences of Adolescents In Three Ghanaian Towns. International Family Planning Perspectives 2003; 29: 32-40.
Lugoe WL, Klepp KI Skutle A. Sexual debut and predictors of condom use among secondary school students in Arusha, Tanzania. AIDS Care1996; 8:443-52.
Bozon M. At what age do women and men have their first sexual intercourse? World comparisons and recent trends. Population & societies 2003; 391:1-4.
Mahy M, Gupta N. Trends and differentials in adolescent reproductive behaviour in Sub-Saharan Africa. Calverton Maryland,
USA: ORC Macro, 2002.
Belaineh G, Demeke A, Tushunie K. Determinants of condom use among Agaro High school students using behavioural models. Ethiop J Health Dev 2004; 18: 25-39.
Brown AD, Jejeebhoy SJ, Shah I, Yount KM. Sexual relations among young people in developing countries: evidence form WHO case studies. World Health Organization. Geneva, 2001. Document WHO/RHR/01.8.
Alene GD, Wheeler JG, Grosskurth H. Adolescent reproductive health and awareness of HIV among rural high school students, North Western Ethiopia. AIDS Care 2004; 16: 57-68.
Taffa N, Klepp KI, Sundby J, Bjune G. Psychosocial determinants of sexual activity and condom use intention among youth in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Int J STD AIDS 2002; 13: 714-9.
Versnel M, Berhane Y, Wendte JF. Sexuality and contraception among never married high school students in Butajira, Ethiopia.
Ethiop Med J 2002; 40: 41-51.
Oindo, ML. Contraception and sexuality among the youth in Kisumu, Kenya. Afr Health Sci 2002; 2: 33-9.
Obiechina NJ, Diwe K, Ikpeze, OC. Knowledge, awareness and perception of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among Nigerian adolescent girls. J Obstet Gynaecol 2002; 22: 302-5.
Article Metrics
Abstract View
: 700 times
Download : 314 times
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
