Sexual Behaviour and Correlates for Risky Sexual Behaviour among Youth Attending Government Vocational Training Institutes in Colombo District

Background: Youth represent a proportion of the population most exposed to Sexually Transmitted Infections. The study of sexual behaviour patterns and what factors predisposes them for risky sexual behaviour is important in designing targeted interventions for youth.

Objective: To describe socio demographic profile, knowledge on STI, HIV and sexual health and information sources, sexual behaviour and correlates for risky sexual behaviour among youth aged 18-24 years in government vocational training institutes in Colombo District.

Method: Calculated sample size was 420. Stratified random sampling was used to enroll participants. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using percentages, chi square test and logistic regression.

Results: Just over half (52%) the sample were males and all had completed Ordinary level examination or beyond. Twenty-five percent of the respondents were sexually active. Nearly 69% had not used a condom at their last sex. Ten percent of males who were sexually experienced had anal sex at their first sexual exposure. Gender, ability to earn, knowledge on STI prevention and contraception, using pornography in the last 12 months and social media to find partners were associated with ever having sex. Male sex and ability to earn were positive predictors of ever having sex and contraceptive knowledge was a negative predictor.

Conclusions: Risky pre-marital sex is present among this study sample. Male sex and ability to earn were positively predictive of ever having sex. Knowledge on contraception was negatively predictive.