title: Epidemiology of non-penetrative sex among university students in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention in Northwestern Ethiopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices related to non-penetrative sexual behavior in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention among Bahir Dar University students in Northwestern Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of 624 regular students attending their education in academic year 2007 in Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia selected by stratified sampling technique. Association between practices and the explanatory variables was assessed in bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests and the associations were further expanded using multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall knowledge assessments of the respondents showed that 65.2% of the respondents were having reasonable and good knowledge. Around 46.7% were currently practicing one or more of the non penetrative sexual practices. Among those who were practicing one or more of the non penetrative sexual behaviors (n = 286) were for the reasons as make sexual pleasure (56.8%), prevent HIV and STI (49.8%), keeping virginity (17.1%) and prevention of pregnancy (16.7%)respectively. Around 60.7% had unfavorable attitude towards non penetrative sexual behavior. Having good knowledge, being male gender, and having favorable attitudes towards NPS were associated with non penetrative sexual practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the students have relatively good knowledge and a considerable proportion of them were already engaged in one of the NPS practices withstanding the unfavorable attitude they have towards NPS. This remained that it is advisable to further consider NPS as one option and additional menu for avoiding unwanted penetrative sex in order to maximize young people's options to prevent HIV/AIDS and STIs along with broader IEC/BCC interventions.
authors: John Hopkins University-Technical Support for HIV/AIDS Treatment Initiatives, Ethiopia.
authors: Zelalem
authors: Z
authors: Mehari
authors: Mamo
authors: M
authors: Wubshet
authors: Kebede
authors: K
authors: Deribe
authors: Sibhatu
authors: S
authors: Biadgilign
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008418:Masturbation / Q000523:psychology; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult