Assessment of Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attitudes, and Sexual Risk in Sweden (1989–2003)

Abstract

To assess changes in sexual behavior, sexual attitudes, and sexual risk related to HIV, we conducted mailed questionnaire surveys in random samples of the Swedish general population in 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, and 2003 (total N = 13,762). Each sample consisted of 4,000-6,000 subjects aged 16-44 years, stratified by age: 16-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-34, and 35-44 years. The overall participation rate was 63.8% (for men, 55.9%; for women, 71.9%). The prevalence of three or more sexual partners and casual sexual contacts without the use of a condom was comparatively high for men, for persons aged 16-24 years, single persons with and without a regular partner, and persons living in towns and urban areas. The prevalence of multiple sexual partners and casual sexual contacts increased significantly over time. There was a significant decrease in the proportion of participants who agreed with the statement "Sexual intercourse should only take place in a stable relationship." Personal risk assessments related to HIV did not change significantly over time. The study shows that risky sexual behavior related to HIV/AIDS increased in the Swedish population between 1989 and 2003, and that attitudes concerning casual sexual relations became more permissive.

Risk-taking behaviour is more frequent in teenage girls with multiple sexual partners

“…The choice of this cut-off point was based on the variable distribution in the present material and on international research data. The cut-off points used in international literature have varied from three partners in one's lifetime [9] or during the past 12 months [4] to four or more partners during one's lifetime [17]. The appropriate criterion also greatly depends on the cultural context.…”

“…For instance, studies in the USA have shown that music-video consumers more often engage in risky sexual behaviour [3]. Certain changes in adolescent sexual behaviour have likewise been reported in the Nordic countries, suggesting that adolescents have more sexual partners [4] and that sex without commitment to a relationship has become more common [5]. In Finland, a number of Correspondence: Marjo Kuortti, Department of General Practice, University of Tampere, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland.…”

Increase in reported gonorrhoea cases in Sweden, 2001 - 2008

“…The increase in the number of sexual partners overall and in the number of new/casual sexual partners combined with an insufficient use of protection is certainly one of the factors contributing to the spread of gonorrhoea. Regular assessments and studies of sexual knowledge, behaviour, attitudes, and the risks of HIV/AIDS and STIs that have been performed in Sweden since 1989 provide comprehensive and valuable insights into these factors [20,21]. These studies showed that in the years from 1989 to 2003, the prevalence of casual sexual contacts (unspecified type of sexual contacts) without condom use rose significantly, especially in the age groups under 35 years (both men and women) [20].…”

Perceived Realism Moderates the Relation Between Sexualized Media Consumption and Permissive Sexual Attitudes in Dutch Adolescents

“…One of the proposed moderators of the effect of sexualized media is the extent to which adolescents perceive the material they see as realistic-perceived realism. Thus, when the popular media depict sex as fun and worry-free and adolescents perceive these notions as realistic, this may implicitly gear adolescents' behavior and norms toward higher levels of permissiveness (Herlitz & Ramstedt, 2005), especially among those with a higher level of perceived realism (e.g., Rivadeneyra & Lebo, 2008;Taylor, 2005).…”