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Introduction: Sexual behavior among youth is a public health concern, particularly in contexts where cultural norms, socio-economic factors, and access to comprehensive sexual education play pivotal roles. This paper aims to examine the determinants of sexual behavior among Nepali youths. Methods: This study analyzed data from 7,122 individuals aged 15–24 years from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022, focusing on a nationally representative sample. This study assessed the prevalence of sexual behaviors, including premarital sex, recent sexual activity, and multiple sexual partners. Determinants examined included socio-demographic characteristics, media use, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine the associations between social determinants and sexual behaviors. Results: The prevalence of premarital sex among the youth was 10.4%, with 15% of male youths reporting recent sexual activity and 2.8% having sexual intercourse with multiple partners. Variables significantly associated with premarital sex included older age groups (AOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.98–3.99), male (AOR = 7.87; 95% CI: 5.00–12.39), sales occupations (AOR = 2; 95% CI:1.12–3.57), smoking (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI:1.74–4.23), smokeless tobacco products (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI:1.12–3.34), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.97; 95% CI:2–4.41). Variables significantly associated with recent sexual activity included older age groups (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI:1.46, 3.03), being unmarried (AOR = 9.34; 95% CI:5.19–16.82), smoking (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI:1.33–3.05), use of smokeless products (AOR = 1.7; 95% CI:1.98–3.67), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI:1.30–2.82). Youths using smokeless products had higher odds (AOR = 3.33; 95% CI:1.75–6.35) of having multiple sexual partners compared to those youths not using smokeless products. Conclusion: Social determinants, along with smoking and alcohol consumption, were associated with sexual behaviors among youth. This study highlights the need for multicomponent health promotion (new public health) interventions which consider multi-level strategies, including culturally tailored sexual health programs, drug use behaviors, healthy lifestyle choices, comprehensive sexual health education for evidence-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health issue in Nepal. IPV has social and economic impacts on women, family, and the wider society. In this study, we aimed to determine factors associated with IPV among currently partnered women aged 15–49. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2022. The study examines the lifetime prevalence of IPV. IPV was measured in three domains: experience of physical violence, emotional violence, and sexual violence. Weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied to determine factors associated with IPV. The results of logistic regression were presented as crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 3853 women, 27.2% had experienced any form of IPV. The lifetime prevalence of physical violence, emotional violence, and sexual violence were 23.2%, 12.8%, and 7.1%, respectively. Higher odds of physical violence were reported among women aged 35–49 years (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.58–2.87), women without formal education (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.10–2.06), and women who justified wife-beating (AOR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00–1.52). Women from poor households (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.12–2.35) and women with uneducated partners (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.08–2.58) were at higher risk of experiencing sexual violence. Women with unemployed husbands reported a higher risk of physical violence (AOR: 2.72, 95% CI: 1.45–5.06) and emotional violence (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.12–2.35). Conclusion: Almost one in three currently partnered women experienced some form of IPV in their lifetime. Various sociodemographic, partner-related, and women's empowerment-related factors were associated with experiencing IPV. Acknowledging and addressing these factors is essential to mitigating the high rates of IPV among reproductive aged women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]