Pan Afr Med J. 2017 Nov 15;28:234. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.234.12125.
Akibu M1, Gebresellasie F2, Zekarias F3, Tsegaye W4.
Abstract
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.
KEYWORDS: Predictors; premarital sexual practice; sexual debut; university students
PMID: 29881479
PMCID: PMC5989185
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.234.12125
Factors associated with premarital sexual practice: In Multivariate logistic regression, Males were 2 times more likely to engage in premarital sexual debut than females (AOR 2.3 95% CI = 1.59-3.3). Watching pornographic films was another Predictor of premarital sexual practice, as students watching such films had 2.3 times higher tendency of practicing pre-marital sexual intercourse (AOR 2.3 95% CI = 1.6-3.27). Having higher academic performance was found to be a protective factor against pre-marital sexual practice (AOR 0.43 95% CI = 0.25-0.74). Students with high academic performance were 57% less likely to engage in premarital sexual debut than lower rank students (Table 4).
Most discussants agreed that pornographic movies play a significant role for initiation of earlier sexual practice and these films are the primary reference materials for students to improve their sexual performance. One of the discussant said
“I think there is no doubt about the power these movies have. Most students here rely on pornographic movies to master better sexual practice and learn different sex positions. Particularly boys are very concerned to learn about how to take their girls to orgasm very quickly and they feel porn films are the best approach to follow. You would have been amazed if you go and see how many students are busy in downloading these movies”.
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