Sexual attitudes and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among university students

INTRODUCTION: Risky sexual behaviors. 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 is more probable. This study aimed to evaluate the sexual attitude and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among girls and boys and the difference in sexual norms by gender among university students. METHODS: A university‐based study with a cross‐sectional survey was conducted for 9 months in 2019. A total of 800 university students were studied by a random sampling technique using a self‐administered structured questionnaire derived from the World Health Organization illustrative questionnaire to assess sexual attitudes among adolescents and young adults. RESULTS: Most 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 than boys. There was no significant difference in the total score of sexual attitudes in girls and boys, and both genders had negative attitudes toward risky sexual behavior (42/72). Those who go to parties, bars, or movies are more likely 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]). CONCLUSION: Being 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 risky sexual behavior and reduce its rate.