• Gedion Asnake Azeze, Natnael Atnafu Gebeyehu, Addisu Yeshambel Wassie, and Taklu Marama Mokonnon.
• Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
• Afr Health Sci. 2021 Dec 1; 21 (4): 1830-1841.

BackgroundYoung people in Ethiopia aged between 18 and 24 who have had sex before age 18 has increased from 35% in 2005 to 40% in 2016 among women and from 9% to 12% among men.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with risky sexual behavior among secondary and preparatory students in Wolaita Sodo town, Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia; 2020.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 4 to 25, 2020. Multistage sampling was employed to select a random sample of 830 study participants from 2 randomly selected secondary and preparatory schools. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the outcome variables and independent variables.ResultAmong the 306 participants who reported ever having sex, 196 (24.7%) engaged in risky sexual behaviors. Factors significantly associated with risky sexual behavior were; ever used alcohol, ever smoked cigarettes, parent monitoring, and having sexually active close friend/s.ConclusionSubstantial proportion of study participants engaged in risky sexual behavior calling for more interventions on school student's addictive behaviors. Parents should have frequent, open and informative discussions about substance use and the associated problems with their adolescents.© 2021 Azeze GA et al.

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