2025/07/30 by BELAY WAKJIRA
paper · doi:10.20372/nadre:14672
MR. TARIKU TESFAYE (ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MPH). Abstract Introduction: Most of the high school students are found in the adolescent age group. This age group was the most sexually active age category that leads to unprotected sex, which is risky sexual practice. Globally among adolescents had ever sexual contact 41% of them didn’t use protective equipment. As a result of this, HIV/AIDS, sexual transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy the major health problems of adolescent people.in order to tackle this problem adolescents should aware about the RSP and its consequence. In developing country lack of knowledge coupled with poverty increase the chances of adolescent to engage risky sexual practices. Objectives: To assess risky sexual practices and associated factors among high schools’ adolescent students in Haru district, west Wollega Zone of Oromia, in 2020. Methodology: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Haru district from Augest26-September 30/2020.. The study participant was selected through systematic random sampling technique to select 617 participants. Data was collected using pre-tested self administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared in English and translated to Afan Oromo by language expert for clarity of questions for the respondents and other person of language expert translated Afan Oromo to English to assure the consistency of questioner. Data was entered using Epi Data version 3.1 and it was exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Results described by frequency tables and charts. Odd ratio calculated to show association using logistic regression while significance declared at p-value <0.25 and <0.05 for crude and adjusted odd ratio respectively with 95% confidence interval. Results: Out of planned participants, 595 students were interviewed resulting 96.43% response rate. The mean age of the students was 16.99 ±1.31SD. The proportion of risky sexual practice was 29.4%;(95%CI:26.4%,33.7%) being male sex (AOR= 12.51, 95% CI: 3.64- 42.99), age at first sexual start (AOR=3.60, 95%CI: 2.41- 6.70), peer pressure and seeking for gifts (AOR=0.02, 95%CI: 01-0.16), (AOR=0.08, 95%CI: 0.02-0.34) both are protective risk factors respectively, discussion with family on sexual issues (AOR= 0.02, 95% CI:0.01-0.12) and knowledge (AOR= 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44- 0.99), were statistically associated with risky sexual practices. Conclusion: In this study two third of the participants experienced risky sexual practices. Awareness creation on risky sexual practice, peer pressure and discussion of parents with their adolescent on sexual issues should be encouraged and males need more attention