Sexual Behavior and Sexual Risks Among Spanish University Students: a Descriptive Study of Gender and Sexual Orientation

Abstract

University years are characterized by new experiences and relationships, some of which can prove to be risky. This is of particular concern when considering sexual behavior. The main objective of this study was to examine sexual behavior and some of its negative consequences in a sample of Spanish university students according to gender and sexual orientation. The data were collected from 1451 students of both sexes (29 % men, 71 % women) between 18 and 26 years old in a mid-size university in Spain. Eighty-seven percent of the participants had engaged in sexual relations with vaginal penetration and 20.4 % had engaged in sexual relations with anal penetration. In both cases, inconsistent condom use was found as well as the consumption of alcohol and drugs before sexual contacts. Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual problems, and sexual victimization were also detected. We found statistically significant gender and sexual orientation differences in sexual behavior, STI history, sexual victimization, and sexual problems. These results are discussed in light of the effectiveness of university education and prevention programs. A need to develop new policies for promoting sexual health in Spanish university students is suggested.

Risk factors that influence sexual and reproductive health in Portuguese university students

“…Men were more likely to combine sex with alcohol or with drugs and were more involved in sex with casual partners. These behaviours may be secondary to increased hedonism and sensation seeking in men (Castro 2016;Cragg et al 2016) or from social pressures exerted by peers (Ghandour et al 2014). The older students were less likely to report condom use and more likely to have sex with casual partners than the younger students.…”

“…Men were more likely to combine sex with alcohol or with drugs and were more involved in sex with casual partners. These behaviours may be secondary to increased hedonism and sensation seeking in men (Castro ; Cragg et al. ) or from social pressures exerted by peers (Ghandour et al.…”

“…The biological and psychological developments of university students are associated with an increased search for and involvement in sexual activity. The risk of STI infection is increased when students do not consistently use condoms has sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs that reduce their cognitive ability to evaluate the risk level of a sexual activity (Castro 2016;Kritsotakis et al 2016). Men were more likely to combine sex with alcohol or with drugs and were more involved in sex with casual partners.…”

“…). Some of the most worrisome risk‐taking sexual behaviours include engaging in sexual activity with untrusted partners without consistent condom use and/or with the use or abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs (Castro ; Parks et al. ).…”

“…Sexually transmitted diseases have numerous health implications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, increased risk for HIV infection and transmission, cervical cancer and pregnancy complications (Singh et al 2014). Some of the most worrisome risk-taking sexual behaviours include engaging in sexual activity with untrusted partners without consistent condom use and/or with the use or abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs (Castro 2016;Parks et al 2017). To reduce the odds of STI infection, students should reduce their exposition to risk; decrease the number of sexual partners, and use condoms consistently and correctly, no matter the sexual partner, circumstance or the perceived risk (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2014; Cragg et al 2016).…”