The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Extra/Pre-Marital Sexual Behaviors Among University Students in Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Extra/pre-marital sexual behaviors (EPSB) are considered as an important problem, especially among the young generation. Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and determinants of EPSB among university students in Kerman, Iran. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2157 students in 2016. This study used different data collection methods such as direct and network scale-up (NSU). A self-administrated questionnaire was completed by the participants for direct data survey. Then NSU data were gathered through the interview by a trained same-sex interviewer. Results: Total of 1035 male and 695 female students (n = 1730) were studied with the mean age of 20.5 years (range 18-29). In the direct method, 14.9% of the students had sex with non-student partners (SNSP) (3.4% females and 22.6% males). Corresponding percentages in the NSU method were 2.5% and 7.9%. Comparing direct method results of two groups, it was determined that males' last year SNSP (22.6 %,) was more prevalent but in females, last year sex with student partner (SSP) (4.7%) was more prevalent. Comparisons revealed that in the direct method, 41.7% of the students watched pornography (16.6% females and 58.8% males). There was a significant association between watching pornography and gender (OR male to female = 7.2), as well as between SSP and SNSP without any payment regarding the gender (OR male to female = 5.3 and 7.7). Conclusions: Our findings showed that extra/pre-marital sexual relationships are relatively common among university students, especially males. We found lower percentages in the indirect NSU method, which is mainly because of nature of such behaviors that are invisible in society and we could not provide estimation for visibility.

Magnitude of Sexual Behaviours Among College Students In The Eighth Macro-Region of Iran By Self-Reported and Network Scale-Up

“…Based on the results derived from data analyzing, the major sexual behavior among both male and female students was watching pornographic movies with 23.1% in the direct method and 22.9% in the indirect method, respectively, which is in line with the studies of Vakilian et al (20), Zahedi et al (21) and Khalilabadi et al (22) in Iran. Access to technology and communication media, cell phone, and internet can justify this issue (20,23).…”

Is Pornography Use Associated with Sexual Desire and Marital Satisfaction Among Heterosexual Iranian Women?

“…Marital satisfaction of Iranian women was related to sexual satisfaction, sexual pleasure, social support and religious attitudes (23)(24)(25)(26). The rate of Iranian women pornography use has been reported between 17.4% and 35% and rarely been studied (27,28). Pornography use may be associated with increased marital separation (29,30).…”

Informal sexual relationship-associated factors among young adult smartphone users in South of Iran: a cross-sectional study

“…Sexual behaviors are described and compared in terms of social norms, and societies’ conception of sexuality is unique to their culture [ 1 , 2 ]. However, in today's world, where social networks and global communications are critical components of any societal context, informal sexual relationships (ISR), as a risky sexual behavior, are becoming more prevalent in more reserved cultures, such as that in Iran [ 3 , 4 ]. ISR is problematic since it predisposes individuals to sexually transmitted infections such as HIV [ 5 , 6 ].…”