IntroductionRisky sexual behaviors, because of its adverse health consequences, are a serious problem in the health care system. Adequate awareness of reproductive health in young people is important because they are in the early years of fertility and engaging in risky sexual behaviors are more probable. This study aimed to evaluate the sexual attitude and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among girls and boys and the difference of sexual norms by gender among university students.
MethodsA university-based study with a cross-sectional survey conducted for nine months in 2019. A total of 800 university students were studied by a random sampling technique, using a self-administered structured questionnaire derived from World Health Organization illustrative questionnaire to assess sexual attitudes among adolescents and young adults
ResultsMost of the respondents were female and single. Girls were more religious, more frequently visited the cinemas, and were more likely to discuss sex-matters with family members compared to boys. There was no signi cant difference in the total score of sexual attitude in girls and boys, and both genders had negative attitudes toward risky sexual behavior (42/72). Those who go to parties, bars, or movies were more probable to have risky sexual behavior. Being a religious person is an essential predictor of having less risky behavior (RR = 2.02, 95% CI = 0.96,3.41).
ConclusionBeing religious was a protective factor for engaging in risky sexual behavior. More interventions in schools and universities need to educate students to enhance awareness about the consequences of RSB and reduce the rate of it.
Implication And ContributionRisky sexual behaviors in young adults may cause serious health problem and it will affect their whole life. In this study attitudes to risky sexual behavior were negative. Adolescnets who were religious had less risky sexual behavior.
