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Apr 14, 2014Keywords:
Reproductive health behaviour street youth sexual practices infection Ethiopia
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Reproductive health behaviour of street youth and associated factors in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia
Abstract
Background: Street youth are predisposed to sexual and reproductive health challenges. Most of the street children live in severe deprivation, which make them liable to various forms of health risks. Street youth have risky sexual behaviours that increase the likelihood of adverse sexual and reproductive health consequences.
Aim: This study was conducted to assess reproductive health behaviour and needs of street youth in Gondar city, North West Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with qualitative design was conducted in July 2012 among 463 street youth. Quantitative data was checked, coded and entered in to EPI info version 6.04. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20 statistical program. Descriptive statistics were used for data summarization and presentation. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations.
Results: Almost one-third (30.5%), of the study group had started sexual intercourse. Of youth who had been sexually active, 62.4% had more than one lifetime sexual partner and the mean number of sexual partners was 3.15± 4.5. Risky sexual behaviour were associated with age, sex, duration on the street, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking and khat chewing. Among the sexually active respondents, 24.8% had history of sexually transmitted infections, 37.5% unwanted pregnancy, 40.6% had sexual intercourse with sex workers. Health services utilization of street youth was 15.1%.
Conclusion: Significant number of street youth engages in high risk sexual practices. This fact calls for a co-ordinated and comprehensive effort by responsible organizations to mobilize peer based interventions to bring behavioural change in reducing risky sexual practices.
Key words: Reproductive health behaviour, street youth, sexual practices, infection, Ethiopia
Aim: This study was conducted to assess reproductive health behaviour and needs of street youth in Gondar city, North West Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study supplemented with qualitative design was conducted in July 2012 among 463 street youth. Quantitative data was checked, coded and entered in to EPI info version 6.04. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20 statistical program. Descriptive statistics were used for data summarization and presentation. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations.
Results: Almost one-third (30.5%), of the study group had started sexual intercourse. Of youth who had been sexually active, 62.4% had more than one lifetime sexual partner and the mean number of sexual partners was 3.15± 4.5. Risky sexual behaviour were associated with age, sex, duration on the street, alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking and khat chewing. Among the sexually active respondents, 24.8% had history of sexually transmitted infections, 37.5% unwanted pregnancy, 40.6% had sexual intercourse with sex workers. Health services utilization of street youth was 15.1%.
Conclusion: Significant number of street youth engages in high risk sexual practices. This fact calls for a co-ordinated and comprehensive effort by responsible organizations to mobilize peer based interventions to bring behavioural change in reducing risky sexual practices.
Key words: Reproductive health behaviour, street youth, sexual practices, infection, Ethiopia
