Factors associated with the choice of having multiple sexual partners among male college students with casual heterosexual sex in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China

Abstract

Background Young students infected with HIV have become a significant public health issue in China, this study aimed to understand the factors influencing the choice of having multiple sexual partners among male college students who had casual heterosexual sex in Zhejiang Province and to scientifically justify developing HIV/AIDS intervention strategies among them. Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was used for the survey of students from 13 colleges or universities in Zhejiang Province between October and November 2018. The questionnaire collected information on general demographic characteristics, knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, sexual attitudes and risk awareness, sexual behavioural characteristics, and acceptance of interventions. The univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted in this study. Results Study participants included 362 male college students who exhibited casual heterosexual sex and were aware of the number of sexual partners they had. Among them, 222 students engaged in casual heterosexual sex with multiple sexual partners (61.33%). The results of the multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with male students’ choice to have multiple sexual partners: monthly living expenses greater than or equal to 1501 CNY (adjusted OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.21–4.16), sexual behavior after consuming alcohol (adjusted OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.32–3.63), whose casual partner types were non-student (adjusted OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.45–4.22), and those who discussed using condoms during sexual intercourse (adjusted OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.28–0.89). Conclusion The choice to engage in casual heterosexual sex with multiple partners was found to be associated with several factors among male college students, including economic status, engaging in sexual behavior after consuming alcohol, the type of the casual partner, and using condoms. These findings highlight the significance of implementing targeted interventions and comprehensive sexual health education programs within college settings in order to encourage safer sexual practices among students.

Factors associated with voluntary HIV counseling and testing among young students engaging in casual sexual activity: a cross-sectional study from Eastern China

“…In 2017, the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection among Chinese university students was more than ten times higher than in 2006, with 3077 cases reported in 2017 compared to 242 cases in 2006, and the annual growth rate during this period ranged from 30 to 50% [ 9 ]. In recent years, the number of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases among young students in China has remained stable at approximately 3,000 annually [ 11 , 12 ]. Additionally, around 100 new cases of HIV/AIDS have been diagnosed among college students in Zhejiang Province in recent years [ 9 ].…”