Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Correlations between Risky Sexual Behavior and Parental Communication among Youth in Dilla Town, Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia

Akine Eshete Abosetugn, Ababi Zergaw , Henok Tadesse and Yohannes Addisu

Background: The youth is vulnerable to risky sexual behaviors that could lead to unfavorable health outcomes. Youth communication can be one of the most effective strategies in reducing risky sexual behaviors. Only a little has been explored about the role of a parent influence in protecting youths from risky sexual behaviors. Thus, this study tried to assess risky sexual behaviors and the influence of parents on risky sexual behavior among youths in Dilla Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design, supplemented by a qualitative study was employed. The data were collected in January, 2012 by using interview administered questionnaire for the quantitative part, while focus group discussion was employed for qualitative part of the study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used to analyze the data. Results: From sexually active youths, nearly half (48.3%) of youths reported unprotected sex. In the recent sex, 23.9 % of youths had two or more lifetime sexual partners and 12.6% of youths had sex with non-regular partners. Males had two times more sexual partners than females (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.21), on the other hand, females had three times more sex with non-regular partners than males (AOR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.10, 6.51). Parental communication showed a significant relation to risky sexual behavior. The odds of having had multiple sexual partners were three fold higher among youths who don’t discuss about sexual issues than who discussed (AOR: 3.12, 95% CI: (1.37,7.08). About onefifth of youth had a discussion about sexual issues with their parents and they preferred the same sex to discuss on sexual issues with their parents and peers. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of youths engaged in risky sexual behaviors in both sexes. Parents play a greater role in shaping the behavior of youths. Therefore, Behavior change communication should consider family environment and other factors which predict risk sexual behaviors has to be strengthened.