Introduction:

The onset of sexual relations at early ages of life involves biological, psychological and social risk that make many families dysfunctional worldwide.

Objective:

To determine the influence of family functioning and risky sexual behavior among adolescents in the community of Yanayacu.

Material and Methods:

An observational, relational, cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the influence of family functioning and risky sexual behavior among adolescents in the community of Yanayacu.

Results:

49.3% had started their sexual life; the risk behaviors identified were: early onset of sexual life, no condom use, and more than two sexual partners with a P <0.05, according to sex. As for prevention knowledge of these behaviors, they mostly mentioned the use of condoms, but less than 40% used them; 54% of sexually active adolescents belonged to dysfunctional and moderately functional families with an extended family typology.

Conclusions:

Extended families with dysfunctional and moderately functional family dynamics, cause a greater frequency of risky sexual behaviors. The level of communication, warmth and closeness play a very important role as protectors of these behaviors.

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