title: Prevalence and correlates of HIV-risky sexual behaviors among students attending the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on sexual behaviors in Cameroonian youths are needed to design and implement effective preventive strategies against HIV/AIDS. This study aimed at assessing sociodemographic and religious factors associated with sexual behaviors among university students in Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2011, 411 university students were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire at the Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine correlates of sexual behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  80.8 % of students were sexually active. The mean age at sexual debut was 18.1 years (SD = 3.1). The frequency of premarital sex was 92.8 %. Pornography viewing [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.0, 95 % CI 2.1-7.6; p < 0.0001] and an increased age of 1 year (aOR: 1.3, 95 % CI 2.0-7.6; p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with having previously had sex. The likelihood to have a lower (<18) age at sexual debut was increased by male gender (aOR: 2.5, 95 % CI 1.7-5; p < 0.001), and urban origin (aOR: 2.9, 95 % CI 1.5-5.7; p < 0.01). The probability to have a high number (#3) of lifetime sexual partners was increased by age (aOR: 1.1, 95 % CI 1.0-1.2; p < 0.001), pornography viewing (aOR: 4.3, 95 % CI 1.9-9.5; p < 0.001), an early sexual debut (aOR: 2.8, 95 % CI 1.6-5.0; p < 0.001), having had occasional sexual partners (aOR: 7.0, 95 % CI 3.7-13.1; p < 0.0001), and was decreased by Muslim religious affiliation (aOR: 0.2, 95 % CI 0.1-0.9; p < 0.05). Having had casual sexual partners was associated with less inconsistent condom use (aOR: 0.5, 95 % CI 0.2-0.9; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that there is an alarming level of risky sexual behaviors among the study population. Strong and efficient measures should be undertaken to handle such harmful behaviors, this for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other STIs in this vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, 7925 Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa. noubiapjj@yahoo.fr.|Medical Diagnostic Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon. noubiapjj@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Jean Jacques N
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Noubiap
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Mother and Child Centre, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jobertrichie_nansseu@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Jobert Richie N
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nansseu
authors.affiliation: , Guidiguis Health District, Guidiguis, Cameroon. shalom_ndoula@yahoo.fr.|Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon. shalom_ndoula@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Shalom Tchokfe
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Ndoula
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, New York School of Medicine, New York, USA. Binhuan.Wang@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Binhuan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jingiahmadoumusa@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Ahmadou M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jingi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Pasteur Center of Cameroon, PO Box 1274, Yaounde, Cameroon. bignarimjj@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Jean Joel R
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bigna
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Education, Networking & Consultancy (CRENC), Douala, Cameroon. Leopami64@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Leopold N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Aminde
authors.affiliation: Medical and Social Welfare Center of the University of Maroua, Maroua, Cameroon. rayoumbi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rosette Amélie
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Youmbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. fokom.domgue@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fokom-Domgue
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004882:Erotica; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult