Abstract:
Sexual risk behaviors are a serious public health problem and social difficulties among
young people worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was
to investigate the relationship of parent-adolescent attachment and self-efficacy to sexual risk
behaviors among adolescents. This study employed a cross-sectional correlational design.
Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires from a total sample of 267
teenagers167 (62.5%) males and 100(37.5%) females aged 14 to 21 years (M = 17.5, SD
=1.14). Systematic random sampling technique was used. Data analysis was performed by
using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of Pearson correlation analysis
revealed that quality of parental trust, communication, closeness, and self-efficacy had
statistically significant negative association with sexual risk behaviors (r = -.126, r = -.21, r
= -.140, and r = -.116, p < .05) respectively. In addition, multivariable logistic regression
results shown that adolescents who perceived strong parental communication qualities have
had 2.323 times less likely engaged in risky sexual activities (AOR = 2.323, 95 % CI (1.226 -
4.401), p = .010).and also teens who perceived higher degree of sense of self-efficacy have
had 16.82 times less likely engaged in highly risky sexual behaviors (AOR =16.82, 95 % CI
(6.835 - 41.393), p = .001) as compared to the counter parts. Moreover, 74 % of total
variance was explained by this model. Overall, the findings indicated that adolescents with
strong parental attachment qualities and higher degree of sense of self-efficacy have had a
lower probability to be engaged in highly risky sexual behaviors than the counter parts. The
present study suggested that enhancing through incorporating parental attachment and self efficacy in reference to attachment and self-efficacy theory should be encouraged to foster
safe sexual practices and protect against adolescents’ involvement in sexual risk behavior
