Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Hadi D. Danawi

Abstract

AbstractAn increase in risky sexual behaviors among high school students in Ethiopia has led to an increase in risk for contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among this population. A knowledge gap exists regarding the predictors of HIV-related risky sexual behaviors among high school students in the predominantly rural and underserved area of southern Ethiopia. The socioecological model was the theoretical framework for this research. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed to examine the association between a set of independent variables, including personal, parental, religious factors, and risky sexual behaviors among a sample of high school students. Primary data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 374 participants using a stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regressions were computed using SPSS Version 25. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior among the school adolescents was 30.04/1,000 population. The associations between HIV comprehensive knowledge and place of residence and risky sexual behavior were not statistically significant. A statistically significant association was found between condom use self-efficacy and risky sexual behavior, P = 0.048, OR =2.23, 95% CI [1.007, 4.925] when the covariates were held constant. After controlling for covariates, maternal monitoring (P = 0.027, OR = 2.84, 95% CI [1.011, 8.004]) and frequent participation in religious activities (P = 0.03, OR = 0.240, 95% CI [0.094, 0.612]) significantly predicted lower odds of risky sexual behavior. The research findings could lead decision makers to address the determinants of risky sexual behaviors to address increasing HIV infections, which could lead to positive social change in the study area.

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