Assessment of the Prevalence of premarital sexual practice

The World Health Organizations (WHO) has reported that young people aged 15-24 accounted for an estimated 45% of new HIV infections worldwide (3). Age at marriage is rising in many African societies, especially among the better-educated and urban segments of the population. At the same time, it is believed that age at menarche is declining, and that premarital adolescent sexual activity is increasing (4). According to Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2011 report, among women age25-49, 29 percent first had sexual intercourse before age15 (5). Early sexual debut increases young peoples' risk for infection with HIV and other STIs. Youth who begin early sexual activity are more likely to have high risk sex or multiple partners and are less likely to use condoms (6). In Ethiopia, HIV prevalence in the 15-24 age groups is 8.6% the commonest mode of HIV infection is heterosexual contact accounting 87% (7).

Autorentext

Wakeshi Willi - Ambo University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Ambo, Ethiopia.