Who’s at risk? Factors associated to risky sexual behavior among college students in Kathmandu, Nepal

In Nepal, little information has been collected about sexual practice where HIV/AIDS prevalence is increasing. The main objectives of this paper are to explore the sexual behavior especially focusing on prevalence of risky sexual behavior and investigate the influencing factors of risky sexual behavior among college students. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1276 (636 male and 640 female) students. A composite index of risky sexual behavior was constructed. Association between risky sexual behavior and the explanatory variables was assessed in bivariate analysis using Chi-square tests. The associations were further explored using multivariate logistic analysis.

Male students were about 3 times (OR=2.8) more likely to be involved in risky sexual behavior than female students. Unmarried students, who received RH education, were less likely to be engaged in risky sexual behavior than married. On the other hand, students who consumed alcohol frequently, who exposure pornography, and who have unmarried friend with experience of sexual intercourse were more likely to be engaged in risky sexual behavior than their comparison groups. College students are exposed to health hazards through their sexual behavior. This problem should be addressed early by targeting these groups of high risk students.