The magnitude of risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among students with disabilities in higher academic institutions of Debre Markos City, Ethiopia

Objective: Sexual and reproductive health services for disabled students are an important aspect of ensuring their overall well-being and empowerment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among students with disabilities in higher academic institutions of Debre Markos city. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 168 study subjects with disabilities in higher academic institutions in Debre Markos city. The data were collected from November 5, 2024 to January 25, 2025, by using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. Training for data collectors was conducted to maintain the quality of the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Descriptive statistics with both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The overall magnitude of risky sexual behavior among disabled students at higher academic institutions in Debre Markos city was 48 (28.6%). The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 24.7 (4.9), and 120 (71.4%) were male respondents. Sex (AOR = 0.125; 95% CI: 0.04–0.41), age group under 20 (AOR = 0.101; 95% CI: 0.02–0.59) and 21–24 years (AOR = 0.095; 95% CI: 0.03–0.31), religion (AOR = 0.132; 95% CI: 0.02–0.75), and place of residence (AOR = 4.129; 95% CI: 1.78–9.57) were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior. Conclusion and recommendation: Considerable proportions of students were engaged in risky sexual behavior and have an association with sex, age, religion, and place of residence. Interventions are needed for those female disabled students, aged greater than 25 years, Muslim religion followers, and urban residents to reduce the risky sexual behavior.