title: Premarital Sex in the Last Twelve Months and Its Predictors among Students of Wollega University, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premarital sex increases the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV if unprotected and contraception is not used. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess premarital sex in the last twelve months and its predictors among regular undergraduate students of Wollega University.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey using pretested, structured questionnaire was conducted on a total of 704 regular undergraduate students of Wollega University from February to March, 2014. We used multistage sampling technique to recruit study participants. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were performed using SPSS version 20 to assess predictors of premarital sex. Statistical significance was determined through a 95% confidence level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wollega University youths who had premarital sex in the last twelve months were 28.4%; 55.5% of them did not use condom during last sex while 31.3% engaged in multiple sex. Being male [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)(95% Confidence Interval(CI))=2.7(1.58-4.75)], age 20-24 years [AOR(95%CI)=2.8(1.13-7.20)], training on how to use condom [AOR(95%CI)=1.7(1.17-2.46)], being tested for HIV [AOR(95%CI)=2.3(1.48-3.53)], using social media frequently [AOR(95%CI)=1.8(1.14-2.88)], having comprehensive knowledge of HIV [AOR(95% CI)=1.5(1.01-2.10)], alcohol use [AOR (95%CI)=2.2(1.31-3.56)] were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the last twelve months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly one-third of regular undergraduate students of the university were engaged in premarital sex in the last twelve months. Being male, using social media frequently and alcohol use were associated with increased odds of premarital sex in the stated period. Thus, higher institutions have to deliver abstinence messages alongside information about self-protection.
authors: Department of Public Health, Wollega University, Ethiopia.
authors: Tesfaye
authors: T
authors: Regassa
authors: Department of Nursing, Wollega University, Ethiopia.
authors: Dereje
authors: D
authors: Chala
authors: Department of Public Health, Wollega University, Ethiopia.
authors: Emiru
authors: E
authors: Adeba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases; D061108:Social Media; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Premarital sex; Wollega University; students