IS OUR YOUTHS NAIVE IN SOCIAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH?

Social and reproductive health issues among youth are seriously debated and have fascinated great concern particularly the researchers, policy makers and community. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual and reproductive (SRH) problems amongst youths and factors influencing it. Data was obtained from the national health survey of youth aged between 18-25 years and was analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi square test and logistic analysis. The study consists of 22,750 youth with almost equal ratio by sex and mean age 19.0 years old. The proportion of youth engaged with SRH problems identified with 39.5% had engaged in pornographic viewing, 28.5% ever had masturbation, 6.5% admitted have had premarital sex and 2.3% were noted having STI's symptom. The association between SRH problems and demographic profiles was significant with sex and ethnicities. While result of logistic regression revealed that less religious, anti-social and risky behavior were significantly influenced the youths to SRH problems. Hence, youth programme should be directed towards prevention of risky behavior and anti-social behavior in order to indirectly curbing SRH problems. Religiosity element should not be neglected and to be stressed in an approach that is acceptable by the youth.