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. 2023 Mar;23(1):301-308.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v23i1.32.

Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth

Frederica Jackson  1 , Zelalem T Haile  2
Affiliations

Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth

Frederica Jackson et al. Afr Health Sci. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Ghanaian female youth aged 15-24 years are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to their male counterparts.

Objectives: This study examined the association between educational attainment and risky sexual behavior among Ghanaian female youth.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a nationally representative sample of youth from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (n=1702). The outcome of interest was risky sexual behavior, defined as having last intercourse with a non-marital partner without condoms. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were utilized.

Results: Overall, the prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 66.9%. In the bivariate analysis, risky sexual behavior differed by level of education. Compared to women with a college-level education, a significantly higher proportion of women with secondary education reported risky sexual behavior (72.9%), followed by those with primary education (65.7%) (p<0.001). In the multivariable-adjusted model, there was a significant interaction between education and household wealth index (P =0.030) and between education and the type of place of residence (P =0.045) on risky sexual behavior.

Conclusion: Culturally appropriate and targeted interventions are warranted to increase condom use among these subgroups and curb the rising rates of STIs among Ghanaian female youth.

Keywords: Ghanaian youth; educational attainment; risky sexual behavior.

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