170 Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 3 November 2012 ORIGINAL ARTICLE RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND PREDISPOSING FACTORS AMONG STUDENTS OF JIMMA UNIVERSITY, ETHIOPIA Gurmesa Tura 1* , Fessahaye Alemseged 2 , Sisay Dejene 3 ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Students of higher institutions are assumed to be exposed to many risky sexual behaviors. However, little has been explored about the magnitude of risky behavior and predisposing factors in the context of higher education institutions in Ethiopia. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the pattern of risky sexual behaviors and predisposing factors among Jimma University students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2009 involving quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative study was conducted on 1010 students selected by multistage cluster sampling technique. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS V.16.0. Multi-variate logistic regression was used to see association between variables. The qualitative part involved 10 focus group discussions and 17 key-informant interviews selected purposively. The qualitative data were analyzed by thematic areas. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 267(26.9%) ever had sexual intercourse. The mean age at first sexual intercourse was 17.7±2.7 years. Most, 75.6%, started sexual intercourse during secondary school. Among whoever had sex, 51.0% had sex in the last 12 months and 28.3% had multiple sexual partners. Consistent condom use with non-regular partner in the last 12 months was 69.1%. Lack of parental control, substance use, peer pressure, campus and outside environment were identified as predisposing factors. CONCLUSION: Risky sexual behaviour such as having multiple sexual partner and sexual practice without condom with non- regular partner exists. The university and local health bodies should work together to address the identified risky behaviours with particular focus on Behaviour change communication. KEYWORDS: risky behaviour, Jimma University, University students, predisposing factors, HIV/AIDS INTRODUCTION Students of higher learning institutions are assets of the society and change agents in filling the gap in the past and on whom the future generation is based. It is also clear that this group is on the way of transforming to adulthood; filled with ambition; and building their future academic and social career. Neglecting their sexual and reproductive health can lead to high social and economic costs, both immediately and in the years ahead. One of the most important commitments a country can make for future economic, social, and political progress and stability, therefore, is to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population group (1) According to The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), in 2008 young people aged 15-24 years accounted for 42% of new HIV infections in people aged 15 and older and nearly 80% of this live in sub-Saharan Africa (2). Unless appropriate age and institution targeted intervention exist, certain behaviors can place the university students at greater risk of HIV infection. As they are in the youth age category, 1 Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University 2 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Jimma University 3 Department of Psychiatry, Jimma University *Corresponding Author: Gurmesa Tura E- mail: gurmesatura@gmail.com or gurmesa.tura@ju.edu.et