Risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among employees in industrial park, Northeast, Ethiopia

Risky sexual behavior is a workplace concern that particularly affects young adults in the working-age grou Among factory employees, it poses challenges for both private and government sectors, hindering progress toward sustainable development. This study aimed to assess risky sexual behavior and its associated factors among employees in industrial parks in Northeast Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 participants using a systematic sampling technique. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.2 and exported to STATA version 16 for analysis. Model fitness was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, with a p-value > 0.05 indicating a good fit. Variables with a p-value < 0.2 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression model, and associations with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior among industrial park employees was 24.4%(95% CI of 20.8-28.3). Prior residence (AOR = 3.53; 95% CI: 1.51-8.27), alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.41; 95% CI: 1.10-10.58), watching pornography (AOR = 3.02; 95% CI: 1.07-8.49), peer pressure (AOR = 5.83; 95% CI: 1.30-26.14), and being 21-24 years old (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI: 1.10-22.13) were significantly associated with risky sexual behavior. Nearly one-fourth of the participants engaged in risky sexual activity, indicating a high level of risky practices within industrial park settings. Therefore, there is an urgent need for targeted sexual and reproductive health interventions, including awareness programs, improved access to preventive services, and the promotion of safe sexual practices among industrial park employees.