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

Background: Ghanaian female youth aged 15-24 years are especially vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) com-pared 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 Demo-graphic 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 sec- ondary 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.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the association between educational attainment and risky sexual behavior among Ghanaian female youth. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior was overall 66.9%, and it varied by level of education, with a higher proportion of women with secondary education reporting risky sexual behavior (72.9%), followed by those with primary education (65.7%). Further analysis found significant interactions between education and household wealth index as well as education and type of place of residence on risky sexual behavior. Culturally appropriate and targeted interventions are needed to increase condom use and reduce the rates of STIs among Ghanaian female youth.