RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOAR AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADOLESCENT STUDENT USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN NEKEMTE TOWN, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT Background: Adolescence is a time of increased risk taking, including risky sexual behaviors like unprotected sex and early sexual debut. These behaviors are influenced by factors such as peer pressure, education, and socio-economic status. Such risks can lead to significant health concerns, including sexual transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Identifying these factors is crucial for creating effective interventions to promote safer sexual practices among adolescents. Objective: To assess the magnitude of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among adolescent student using social media in Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia, 2025. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted supported qualitative study approach from February 19- March 16, 2025, Among 422 adolescent. Simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between the outcome and independent variables, and the 95% CI odds ratio and p-value < 0.05 were used to determine the strength of the association. For the qualitative study, data were collected by in-depth interviews. Finally, the result was narrated by supported with in-depth interview manually. Result:  A total of 422 participants were interviewed with a response rate of 95.7%. The overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior in this study was 46.5 %( 95%CI: 41.6%, 51.5%). Adolescent age 15-17 (AOR=7.361 CI=1.301-41.631), and 18-21 age (AOR=9.946 CI=1.768-55.930) , being male  (AOR=1.779CI=1.093-2.894), having communication about sexual topic on social media (AOR=1.807CI=1.138-2.872), Alcohol consumption (AOR=3.103 CI=1.848-5.211), and low knowledge status about sexual transmitted disease and risky sexual behavior  (AOR=4.393 CI=1.429-13.503) were statistically significant association with risky sexual behavior. Conclusion and Recommendation: Nearly half of active social media user adolescents were practice risky sexual behavior.  This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions addressing risky sexual behavior it is recommended that schools, parents, and health authorities collaborate to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, focusing on sexual transmitted diseases and risky sexual behavior consequences. Keywords: Risky Sexual Behavior, Adolescents, Social Media, Nekemte.