Risky sexual behavior and associated factors among sexually experienced secondary school students in Guduru, Ethiopia

Adolescents at secondary schools are susceptible to engaging in risky sexual behavior (RSB) due to their teenage stage and the new environment they face. Limited researches in district towns have evaluated the RSB among adolescents with various findings. This study aimed to assess the RSB and associated factors among sexually experienced secondary school students. School-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Guduru district from March 4–8, 2019. A total of 1236 secondary school students were undergoing a survey. The data were collected using a pretested anonymously self-administered questionnaire and students who reported having ever had sex were evaluated for RSB. From all participants, 352 (29.8%) had ever started sexual intercourse from which 240 (68.2%) students were involved in RSB. During the multivariable logistic regression analysis, sex (AOR: 3.73; 95%CI: [1.71–8.14]), father educational level (AOR: 0.37; 95%CI: [0.16–0.84]), drinking alcohol (AOR: 2.76; 95%CI: [1.29–5.69]), perceived peer pressure (AOR: 4.22; 95%CI: [1.59, 11.24]), communication with parents (AOR: 9.58, 95%CI: [3.53, 25.94]), and perceived parental monitoring (AOR: 0.33; 95%CI: [0.14–79]) were significantly associated with RSB. This study outlined that the majority of sexually active adolescents are involved in RSB. Interventions at the health facility and school level should focus on the identified determinants of sexual behaviors among adolescents to minimize the risky consequences.