ASSESSMENT OF RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOURAL PRACTICES AMONGST UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN EDO STATE

Background: Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among undergraduate students constitutes a significant public health challenge, associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unintended pregnancies. The transition to university life, characterised by newfound autonomy and peer influence, creates vulnerability to risky sexual practices. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and factors influencing risky sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions in Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 635 undergraduate students selected from the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, using a pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected by a multistage sampling technique. Data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. Knowledge was assessed using 34 variables across 10 questions, attitudes using a 5- point Likert scale, and prevalence using lifetime and 12-month recall periods. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.39 ± 2.71 years. Slightly over half (53.9%) were male, and the majority (98.1%) were Christian. Nearly two-thirds (63.3%) were enrolled in health-related faculties. Overall, 76.1% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of risky sexual behaviour. The majority (79.2%) exhibited negative (protective) attitudes toward RSB. Lifetime sexual activity prevalence was 26.6%, with a mean age of sexual debut of 18.21 ± 2.86 years. Among xv sexually active respondents, lifetime RSB prevalence was 88.2%, and recent (12- month) RSB prevalence was 90.2%. Unprotected sex was the most common risky practice (75.1% lifetime, 72.4% recent), followed by sex with casual partners (57.4% lifetime, 51.2% recent). Off-campus residence (AOR = 17.50, 95% CI: 3.07–99.72, p = 0.001), poor knowledge (AOR = 54.61, 95% CI: 4.74–628.98, p = 0.001), early sexual debut (AOR = 8.82, 95% CI: 1.11–69.83, p = 0.039), and positive attitude (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.30, p = 0.002) were significant independent predictors of lifetime RSB. For recent RSB, male sex (AOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.58, p = 0.009), off-campus residence (AOR = 4.34, 95% CI: 1.04–18.17, p = 0.045), and positive attitude (AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.79, p = 0.023) were significant predictors. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and predominantly protective attitudes, the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among sexually active undergraduate students in Edo State remains alarmingly high. Off-campus residence, poor knowledge, early sexual debut, male sex, and negative attitudes emerged as key drivers of RSB. There is an urgent need for targeted, skills-based sexual health interventions addressing environmental vulnerabilities, condom negotiation self-efficacy, and male-focused reproductive health education within tertiary institutions in Edo State. Keywords: Risky sexual behaviour; Undergraduate students; Knowledge; Attitudes; Prevalence; Edo State; Nigeria.