Title:
Exploring the Knowledge, Behavior Gap in Adolescent Sexual Health: Risky Sexual Behaviors and Their Health Consequences Among Adolescents in Chitwan, Nepal

Authors:
Kabita Khatiwada, Diya Ghimire, Anusuya Ghimire, Sharada Khanal & Khima Khatri Thapa, Nepal

Abstract:

Adolescence sexuality is a major concern globally because of its attendant unfavorable reproductive health indices. There have been so many misconceptions about discussing sexuality issues with the adolescent and this in way has really jeopardized the health of the nation as most country is youthful population. While the goal of sex education is to educate and therefore protect oneself from high-risk sexual behaviors, research suggests support that knowledge and attitudes do not always comply with behavior. The descriptive cross-sectional study utilized 105 respondents with validated questionnaire developed by the researcher after reviewing wealth of literature. The study indicates that students’ knowledge about sexual issues is poor. The study found several common risky sexual behaviors including sex without a condom due to drugs and/or alcohol, ceasing to use a condom as a result when respondents became more comfortable in their relationships, early sexual debut, oral sex and anal sex.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.51505/ijmshr.2026.10505