Risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex and transactional sex are considered risky sexual behaviours worldwide and continue to pose risks of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy as well as increased termination of pregnancy amongst young people. Risky sexual behaviour amongst college is a problem experienced by college students in South Africa. The reported study was aimed at determining risky sexual behaviour amongst students at a training college. We used a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design to describe factors associated with risky sexual behaviour among students. The targeted population was the registered students at a training college in Vhembe District. Since the population of registered students at Mashamba College was only 787, a total population sample was used to avoid sampling bias. Self-administered questionnaires with close-ended questions were administered to 307 students who were available on campus during data collection. Out of 307 students, 217(70.3%) were females and 90 (29.3%) were males. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used to manage and analyze the data. The study results revealed that students were engaging in risky sexual behaviours such as multiple sexual partnerships, unprotected sexual intercourse and transactional sex. Out of 307 students, 54 (61.2%) were found to be having multiple sexual partners as compared to 107(54.2%) female students. Students aged 21-24 years 98(31.9%) were having multiple sexual partners. Forty-six (15%) of students were engaging in transactional sex. The study further reveals that sexual orientation contributes to students engaging in risky sexual behaviour. The students who reported that they were bisexual, gay or lesbian 33 (84.6%) were not using condoms.

Keywords: bisexual, sexual orientation, lesbian, transactional sex