Sex And Sexual Health Talk Among Debra Birhan University Students, North Shewa, Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Friends are considered an important source of advice and information about sex. Sexual communication has been noted in various situations to be predictive of condom use. Therefore it is important to explore and examine sexual health talk of young people`s descriptions of the social and contextual conditions that are perceived to affect sexual health communication among and by people in higher institution. Objective: To explore young people`s sex and sexual health talk among Debra Birhan University students, Debra Birhan, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: Grounded theory approach qualitative study design was employed using FGDs. Participants was selected from regular students of Debra Birhan University using criterion purposive sampling approach. Semi-structured focus group discussion guides were used as data collection tools and Focus Group Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, with participants’ assigned pseudonyms to protect their confidentiality, and uploaded to ATLAS.ti 7 software for coding. Data collection and analysis were undertaken simultaneously using constant comparative analysis. Result: Students employ to talk about sex rather than talking on other sexual health issues was how they described the talk/discussions that they have with peers and sex partners. Issues of sex like how to have sex, where and when to have sex, what type of sexual practice students need to have and with whom they have sex are the most common talk topic for the students. Sex talk is related to sexual practice of the students. The use of language influences youth sexuality. Peer pressure, having concurrent and multiple sex partners for economic and academic purpose, going to bars/night clubs or ‘over mawutat’ (for drinking, dancing and doing sex), and globalization were the most common reasons and motivators for sexual behavior (practice). Conclusion and Recommendation: Youth have developed a specialized language to talk about sex and sexuality and this language has become part of the daily discourse, so that unsafe sexual practices become norms and are justified. Therefore, strengthening Behavior Change Communication (BCC) on risk perception, life skill training, peer-education, availing services including condom and working together with all stakeholders is recommended.