Abstract

The aim of this research was to examine risky sexual behaviors and pre-disposing factors among Dilla University undergraduate students and to design feasible strategies to mitigate acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Mainly, a qualitative method of data collection was utilized to get a number of 187 participants (181 regular students and 6 academically dismissed female students) and 44 purposively selected informants from the administrative workers. The data were analyzed manually using the thematic framework method. The results of the study revealed risky behaviors of the students as follows: having sex without condom on campus, rape attempt, loss of virginity, unintended pregnancy, abortion, lawlessness of the students, substance and alcohol use etc. Moreover, various predisposing factors for risky sexual behaviors of the students were identified. To mitigate the problems, immediate holistic and integrated efforts are needed. Moreover, this finding also recommends new approaches such as providing pre-hand orientation for the fresh university students, reviewing the existing curriculum and academic promotion policies, integration or separate inclusion of sex education, including HIV issues into university and formal school curricula and provision of special attention to female students who are being dismissed from the universities.

Key words: Vulnerability, unintended pregnancy, self-protection, risky sexual behaviors, pre-disposing factors.