Table 2 Comparison of traditional values about virginity between residential area and gender among never-married youth in Butajira, Ethiopia, 2004 (n = 3045)
Variables | Rural male n (%) | Rural female n (%) | Rural female/rural male Crude OR and (95% CI | Urban male n (%) | Urban female n (%) | Urban female/urban male Crude OR and (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belief in traditional norm about virginity | ||||||
Virginity is not the norm | 143 (12) | 23(2) | 1.00 | 126 (29) | 46 (11) | 1.00 |
Virginity is the norm | 1008 (88) | 1020 (98) | 6.30 (4.01–9.85) | 307 (71) | 372 (89) | 3.32 (2.29–4.48) |
Beliefs about girls virginity | ||||||
Do not believe in virginity | 19 (1) | 5 (1) | 1.00 | 12 (3) | 8 (2) | 1.00 |
Believe in virginity | 1135 (99) | 1038 (99) | 3.48 (1.22–11.95) | 421 (97) | 410 (98) | 1.46 (0.55–3.95) |
Beliefs about boys virginity | ||||||
Do not believe in virginity | 48 (4) | 233 (22) | 1.00 | 17 (4) | 198 (35) | 1.00 |
Believe in virginity | 1103 (96) | 810 (78) | 0.15 (0.11–0.21) | 416 (96) | 270 (65) | 0.06 (0.03–0.10) |
Intention of marrying a virgin | ||||||
No/Indifferent | 31 (3) | 54 (5) | 1.00 | 63 (15) | 36 (9) | 1.00 |
Yes | 1120 (97) | 989 (95) | 0.51 (0.32–0.79) | 370 (85 | 382 (91) | 1.81 (1.17–2.78) |
Perceived benefit of boys virginity (n = 2599) | ||||||
Pre condition for marriage | 561 (51) | 310 (38) | 1.00 | 230 (55) | 95(35) | 1.00 |
Protects partners from HIV/STIs | 542 (49) | 500 (62) | 1.67 (1.38–2.02) | 186 (45) | 175 (65) | 2.28 (1.64–3.16) |
Perceived benefit of girls virginity (n = 3004) | ||||||
Pre condition for marriage | 590 (52) | 490 (47) | 1.00 | 233 (55) | 194 (47) | 1.00 |
Protects partners from HIV/STIs | 545 (53) | 548 (53) | 1.21 (1.02–1.43) | 188 (45) | 216 (53) | 1.38 (1.05–1.83) |