Abstract:
he major part of the world population belongs to the adolescent age group. And this section of
the society is considered as the barometer of the general status of the world population.
A-r(}blescents are the most vulnerable to various social, cultural, economic, reproductive and
other problems; where these same problems are immensely inflicting on female adolescents.
However, the degree of emphasis given to this section of the population with particular regard to
their reproductive and health interests and problems is quite meager. This study has given
particular emphasis to femdle adolescents' reproductive health issues that include their
involvement in premarital sex and the incidence of abortion they suffer from. Accordingly, it
attempted to single out the determinants and prevalence of premarital sex and the incidence of
abortion among female adolescent students in high schools of Alamata town. To this end,
'Key Words: Premarital Sex, Abortion, Adolescents, Female Students, Teenagers
iii I Pa g c
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Abstract
interview and questionnaire have been used to obtained data on the above issues. Frequency
distributions, chi-square and binary logistical regression have been employed to analyze the
data; and sequential exploratory data analysis technique was used. Systematic random sampling
procedure has been used to select 320female students.from grades 9 and JO. Accordingly, it has
been found that of the 320 female adolescents, 171 (53.4%) of them had experienced premarital
sex; out, of which 2(1.17%) of them had undergone abortion. Different factors that have
statistically significant association with female adolescents' premarital sexual experience have
been identified. The present study has found out that academic performance of female
adolescents, female adolescents' relation with their parents, peer relations (female adolescents'
com?nication with their friends and their perception toward their friends sexual behavior) and
adolescents' knowledge on reproductive health have been idJntified as determinants of the
female students premarital sexual activities. In the mean time, an interview result indicated that
... premarital sex and abortion were common among the participants and various problems were
inhibiting them to deal with their sexual and reproductive health issues. To conclude, the
influence of peers and the involvement of parents in the sexual affairs of their children were
significant in various ways in shaping the sexual patterns of female adolescents in particular and
adolescents in general. There.fore, parental involvement and strong peer networks should be
enoouraged in more fashionable way to support adolescents deal with their sexuality and
t reproductive health. And adolescents must be given the opportunity to equip themselves with the
>-information that is helpful to shape their sexual behavior and action.