Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia
Background: Risky sexual behaviours (RSBs) are prevalent among young adults, particularly university students, increasing their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. While various studies have explored these behaviours in Namibia, limited research exists...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2725 |
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| author | Sylvia K. Mahoto Honoré K. Mitonga Eddy S. Likando |
| author_facet | Sylvia K. Mahoto Honoré K. Mitonga Eddy S. Likando |
| author_sort | Sylvia K. Mahoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Risky sexual behaviours (RSBs) are prevalent among young adults, particularly university students, increasing their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. While various studies have explored these behaviours in Namibia, limited research exists in the Zambezi region, presenting a gap that this study addresses.
Aim: This study investigates the prevalence of RSBs, associated factors and the need for targeted interventions among university students in the Zambezi region.
Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus in the Zambezi Region, Namibia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 231 undergraduate students at the University of Namibia (Katima Mulilo Campus). The survey assessed sexual behaviour, STI knowledge and condom use practices.
Results: Over 61% of participants reported being sexually active, with many initiating sexual activities before the age of 18. Condom use was inconsistent, with 40.7% reporting not using condoms in the past year. Additionally, 15.6% had contracted an STI in the last year, with 6% not seeking medical treatment. Key factors associated with RSBs included marital status and substance use, such as tobacco.
Conclusion: The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of RSBs among university students in the Zambezi region. This underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing social and behavioural determinants of sexual risk-taking.
Contribution: This study emphasises the importance of developing culturally sensitive interventions that promote consistent condom use and improve sexual health education to reduce STI risk and adverse sexual health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1fad4b2964d44bdc83c519e5606565a6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1025-9848 2071-9736 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-1fad4b2964d44bdc83c519e5606565a62025-08-20T03:06:40ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-03-01300e1e610.4102/hsag.v30i0.27251239Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, NamibiaSylvia K. Mahoto0Honoré K. Mitonga1Eddy S. Likando2School of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, OshakatiSchool of Nursing and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, OshakatiFaculty of Technology, University of Portsmouth, PortsmouthBackground: Risky sexual behaviours (RSBs) are prevalent among young adults, particularly university students, increasing their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies. While various studies have explored these behaviours in Namibia, limited research exists in the Zambezi region, presenting a gap that this study addresses. Aim: This study investigates the prevalence of RSBs, associated factors and the need for targeted interventions among university students in the Zambezi region. Setting: The study was conducted at the University of Namibia’s Katima Mulilo Campus in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 231 undergraduate students at the University of Namibia (Katima Mulilo Campus). The survey assessed sexual behaviour, STI knowledge and condom use practices. Results: Over 61% of participants reported being sexually active, with many initiating sexual activities before the age of 18. Condom use was inconsistent, with 40.7% reporting not using condoms in the past year. Additionally, 15.6% had contracted an STI in the last year, with 6% not seeking medical treatment. Key factors associated with RSBs included marital status and substance use, such as tobacco. Conclusion: The findings reveal a concerning prevalence of RSBs among university students in the Zambezi region. This underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing social and behavioural determinants of sexual risk-taking. Contribution: This study emphasises the importance of developing culturally sensitive interventions that promote consistent condom use and improve sexual health education to reduce STI risk and adverse sexual health outcomes.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2725stissexually transmitted infectionshivyoung adultsadolescentsrisky sexual behavioursuniversitieshigher learning institutionszambezi regionnamibia |
| spellingShingle | Sylvia K. Mahoto Honoré K. Mitonga Eddy S. Likando Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences stis sexually transmitted infections hiv young adults adolescents risky sexual behaviours universities higher learning institutions zambezi region namibia |
| title | Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia |
| title_full | Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia |
| title_fullStr | Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia |
| title_short | Risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in Zambezi, Namibia |
| title_sort | risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among university young adults in zambezi namibia |
| topic | stis sexually transmitted infections hiv young adults adolescents risky sexual behaviours universities higher learning institutions zambezi region namibia |
| url | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2725 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sylviakmahoto riskysexualbehaviorsandassociatedfactorsamonguniversityyoungadultsinzambezinamibia AT honorekmitonga riskysexualbehaviorsandassociatedfactorsamonguniversityyoungadultsinzambezinamibia AT eddyslikando riskysexualbehaviorsandassociatedfactorsamonguniversityyoungadultsinzambezinamibia |