Sexual behavior of secondary-school students in Slovenia

Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the sexual behavior of secondary-school students in Slovenia.

Methods The research was carried out on a representative sample of 4706 secondary-school students aged 15–19 years in Slovenia. The data were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire in April 1996.

Results The average age of the students was 17.5 years. Most students had experiences in kissing (70%) and caressing (59%); a lower number had experiences in petting (43%). Sexual intercourse had been experienced by 38% of the students. The median age at the first sexual intercourse was 18.5 years. The main motives for the first sexual intercourse were love (45%), accident (22%) and curiosity (15%). Contraceptive methods currently used were condoms (60%), the pill (14%), coitus interruptus (4%), other methods (3%) and no method (19%). According to the students, the most appropriate sources of information on sexuality were friends (26%), parents (19%), different sources (19%) and professionals (15%).

Conclusion By the age of 18.5 years, approximately one-half of secondary-school students in Slovenia experience sexual intercourse. Most students currently use effective contraception, condoms being the most popular method. The students expect to receive information about sexuality from friends, parents and professionals, but not from the school environment.     

Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases among Swedish university students

Students at Uppsala University, Sweden, were interviewed about their sexual behavior, their knowledge of and attitudes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and related issues. The purpose of the study was to ascertain trends in behavior and attitudes as an indication of the likely risk of the spread of STDs, in particular AIDS, among students. Results revealed that change of partner was commonplace. A significant number of students had suffered from an STD. Students' claims that their own sexual practices, and those of others, had changed as a result of the AIDS epidemic, proved to be unsubstantiated in their behavior. Although contraceptive use was high, condom use with change of partner was infrequent. Alcohol played a significant role in impairing judgement. Despite a reasonably sound knowledge of STDs, the students exhibited a high degree of risk-taking behavior. The study has highlighted the dichotomy between knowledge and practice in student sexual behavior. Notable was the lack of perception among university students of their own risk of contracting STDs.     

Sexual behavior and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among university students in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Objective

To investigate the sexual behavior and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among undergraduate students in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Methods

Self-reported questionnaires were used.

Results

Most of the 447 students in the study were single (97.3%), in their first year of university (87.7%), and the mean ages were 20.4 years (males) and 19.8 years (females). Vaginal intercourse was practiced by 69.7% of males and 48.4% of females, oral sex by 64.5% of males and 43.7% of females, and anal sex by 18.4% of males and 14.1% of females. Use of a condom during vaginal sex was practiced by 80.4% of males and 74.8% of females and during anal sex by 47.8% of males and 30.0% of females. Knowledge of transmission of STIs was greater than 90% for HIV, syphilis, genital herpes, and gonorrhea; 63%-76% for HPV and genital warts; 30%-34% for Trichomonas and only 16% for Chlamydia. Only 25%-34% knew that HIV was transmitted by breastfeeding; 56%-60% knew that HIV was transmitted by anal sex.

Conclusion

Many students engage in high-risk sexual behavior with multiple partners and use condoms inconsistently. Knowledge of the acquisition and modes of sexual and vertical transmission of HIV are strikingly deficient.     

Sexual behavior and adolescence

BACKGROUND: Adolescence represents the period with the highest frequency of negative consequences associated with sexual activities (sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies). An epidemiological study was carried out in symptomatic patients attending our Outpatient Clinic for Sexually Transmitted Diseases between April 1995 and April 1999 in order to evaluate the behaviour pattern of the adolescent population and identify the differences compared to the adult population. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to assess the characteristics of two groups of patients: the first consisted of 54 teenagers (13-19 years-old) and the second, the control group, consisted of 917 women aged between 20 and 40 years old. RESULTS: A high percentage of pregnancies (22.2%) and voluntary abortions (41.6%) was observed in teenagers, associated with different sexual behaviours. The age of sexual intercourse was below 15 in 44.4% of adolescents (vs 7.7% of controls), whereas 61.1% had more than one sexual partner and 20.4% had changed partners in the last 6 months (vs 7.4%). 50% of teenagers did not use any method of contraception (vs 44.2%) and barrier methods were only used by 20.4% (vs 18.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the existence of a high-risk behavioural pattern in the adolescent population and draws attention yet again to the need for a serious programme of prevention and sexual education which will allow adolescents to experience the discovery of their own sexuality with greater awareness and safety.     

Sexual risk behaviour among undergraduate students in Enugu, Nigeria.

This study aims to identify high-risk sexual behaviour among undergraduate students in a developing country and to formulate programmes targeted at reduction of complications of such risky sexual behaviour. This was a questionnaire survey taken of undergraduate students in four institutions of higher learning in Enugu, Nigeria over a 1-month period. The prevalence of sexual activity was 76.8%, with 85.4% of females and 62.3% of males having more than one sexual partner. More female students than their male counterparts (65.7% vs 42.2%) had their first sexual encounter as an adolescent. Sexual risk behaviour that includes having multiple sexual partners, not using a condom, anal and oral sex were more common among the lower social class, adolescents, females and those living off-campus. While economic reasons are a major factor that encourages risky sexual behaviour in the female, the urge to have sex and curiosity, tended to favour such sexual experimentation in the male. Despite a good knowledge of the complications that could follow such risky sex behaviour, the sex lives of the students remained unchanged. Educational and risk reduction programmes targeting a change in belief and behaviour is required to maintain sexual safety among these youth.     

Sexual behavior of infertile couples

The role of sexual dysfunction was evaluated among 98 couples during infertility examination. The wife and the husband were interviewed separately and together. Sixty-six women were willing to report daily their sexual behavior in association with recording basal body temperature. Male sexual dysfunction was the primary cause of infertility in five couples (5%). Three pregnancies resulted after examination and simultaneous supportive discussion. Following a simple diary on sexual behavior, 19 of 66 women conceived (29%). Fourteen of these 19 women reported orgasm within two days preceding elevated basal body temperature. Open discussion about sex was possibly therapeutic. Infertility examinations should include an evaluation of the sexual behavior of couples, with special reference to frequency and timing of coitus.     

Sexual assault against female Nigerian students

Sexual assault is a common social disorder among students in our tertiary institutions. This study ascertains the extent and effect of sexual assault among Nigerian students. Two hundred and Sixty Eight structured questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected students in 4 tertiary institutions, information on socio demography, sexual history and consequences of their exposure were obtained for analysis and interpretation. Thirty seven (13.8%) of the respondents were sexually assaulted as a student and 19 (7.1%) were assaulted by their lecturers and fellow students, Younger age at coitarche, history of forced coitarche, marriage, coitarche with relations and unknown persons, significantly influenced subsequent risks of sexual assault. Improve security, moral behaviours enforcing dress code and stiffer penalties were suggested ways to prevent sexual assault among the students. Sexual assault is still a common finding in our institutions; effort should be made by all stake holders to prevent this social embarrassment.     

Sexual behavior and activity in Chinese pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sexual activities, attitudes, and complications related to intercourse among Chinese pregnant women and to study their source of the information. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety-eight Chinese pregnant women were recruited. Pregnant women completed a self-administered questionnaire anonymously. Their sexual experience and sexuality were analyzed and compared among trimesters. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of various factors with a number of outcomes concerning the sexuality in pregnancy. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent of the pregnant women reported an overall reduction in their sexual activities during pregnancy. Among these activities, vaginal intercourse significantly decreased in the third trimester. Besides gestation, advanced maternal age and nulliparity were independent factors associated with the reduction of vaginal intercourse (P < 0.001). Moreover, over 60% of the women, as well as more than 40% of their partners, had reduction in sexual desire and enjoyment during pregnancy. Over 80% of the women and their partners worried about the adverse effects of sexual activity on the fetus. However, less than 12% of them experienced complications after coitus during pregnancy. Among them, only 9.4% discussed sexuality with their doctors and half of them raised up this topic by themselves. CONCLUSION: Chinese pregnant women had less sexual activities and desire during pregnancy. Culture, inadequate knowledge, and excessive anxiety are likely the important factors for the marked reduction in sexuality in Chinese couples. Medical staffs should take a proactive role in providing more information to relieve their anxiety.     

Sexual attitudes and behaviors among medical students in Dokuz Eylul university, Turkey.

Gaining a healthy sexual attitude and behavior and being able to show appropriate approaches to patients in terms of sexual issues are important acquisitions for medical students. The aim of the present study was to determine, compare, and evaluate the sexual attitudes and behaviors of Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine students. An anonymous questionnaire was filled in by first- and sixth-year students in order to determine their sexual attitudes and behaviors. While information sources in the adolescence period for both genders were friends in the first place, these sources were mostly mothers, books, newspapers--magazines for females, and newspapers--magazines and television for males. The opinion of males about having sexual intercourse before marriage for males was positive, and females were more tolerant about males having this experience before marriage as compared to females having sexual experience before marriage. Rates of expression of having sexual intercourse and masturbation were found to be higher for male students. The first sexual experience with a sex worker or sentimentally insignificant partner was high among males. In general, the rate of condom use was lower, and the rate of coitus interruptus was found to be higher than in foreign studies. All the students declared 'my own will and values' as the most frequent factor affecting their sexual attitudes and behaviors, and high rates for 'social factors', 'religious requirements', 'the expectations of families', and 'protection from sexually transmitted diseases' were observed. The findings lead to the conclusions that gender differences exist in the sexual attitudes and behaviors of medical students; the enhancing effect of the traditional structure on gender discrimination is still continuing; students are not provided with sufficient scientific approach or training prior to the university education; and beyond biomedical training, they should receive more support in those fields during their medical education.     

Sexual behavior predictors of satisfaction in a Chinese sample

IntroductionPrevious multivariate research in Europe found that sexual satisfaction was associated directly with frequency of penile–vaginal intercourse (PVI) but inversely with masturbation and some aspects of non‐PVI partnered sex.AimsTo examine the associations of sexual satisfaction in a sample from the People's Republic of China, including not only frequencies of various sexual behaviors, but also frequencies of orgasm.MethodsChinese industrial workers (N = 158, age over 24 years) completed the sexual satisfaction scale of the Multidimensional Sexuality Questionnaire (MSQ) and a short form of the Marlowe‐Crowne social desirability scale, and provided details of the one month frequencies of engaging in, and having an orgasm from, PVI, masturbation, and non‐PVI partnered sex.Main Outcome MeasuresMultiple regression prediction of sexual satisfaction from age, social desirability responding, and in separate analyses, frequencies of the sexual behaviors or the corresponding orgasm frequencies.ResultsFor men and women, sexual satisfaction was associated with frequency of PVI and of PVI orgasm (the latter for women only), but not other sexual behavior or orgasm frequency. Similar results were obtained for the MSQ satisfaction scale and for a single satisfaction item.ConclusionsDespite cultural differences (and our smaller, less diverse sample), the positive prediction of satisfaction from only PVI (and in our sample of women, PVI orgasm) frequency—but not other sexual activities—was similar to that in a Swedish sample. Future research might also examine possible occasional avoidance of ejaculation by some Chinese men. Tao P and Brody S. Sexual behavior predictors of satisfaction in a Chinese sample.     

Sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among secondary school students in Ilesha south west Nigeria.

Data from several parts of Nigeria point to increasing sexual activity among single adolescents of both sexes with progressive decreasing age at initiation and poor contraceptive use. This paper investigates the sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among teenage secondary school students in Ilesha, southwest Nigeria. This is a cross-sectional population survey of 300 male and female secondary school students within the age group of 13-19 years. The setting is secondary school coaching classes in Ilesha, southwest Nigeria. The outcome measures include prevalence of sexual activity, age at first sexual debut, circumstances leading to first sexual debut, number of sexual partners and family planning use. The result shows that out of the 300 studied, 50% were sexually active, the predominant age at first coitus was 15-19 years, and circumstances leading to sexual debut included mutual agreement, coercion and curiosity. Predominant proportion of sexually active teenagers (86.7%) did not use contraception at the time of first coitus and most of them had more than one sexual partner. The conclusion from this study is that 50% of teenage secondary school girls in this part of Nigeria are sexually active; 68.7% whom, have multiple sexual partners, and 86.7% of them did not use contraception at sexual debut. This unsafe sexual behaviour therefore put them at a great risk of acquiring STDs including HIV infection, and unwanted pregnancy. This study therefore recommends sex education/family life education for young people to encourage them to delay sexual activity as much as possible and practice safe sex when it eventually commences. There is also the need to sensitise the young people, parents, teachers, the community and all stake holders on the magnitude of the problem and to open up dialogue that will break the social, cultural and other mysteries hindering adolescents and youth reproductive health education and services in Nigeria.     

Sexual behavior and response in relation to complications of pregnancy

A detailed written questionnaire survey of 155 puerperas is reviewed. Sexual and obstetric data were examined for possible associations leading to premature or low-birth-weight infants. Among 25 patients delivering premature infants (16 with babies weighing less than 2,500 grams), no significant association could be made between coitus, orgasm, and/or other sexual experiences and the proximity to the onset of labor. Orgasmic patients appeared to have a consistently lower percentage of early deliveries. No particular method of sexual gratification was unique except that masturbation was consistently associated with a lower risk of prematurity throughout various stages of gestation. Speculations are advanced to explain these observations. Sexual activity appears to be safe throughout pregnancy in almost all patients. Ruptured membranes on admission may be associated with recent sexual stimulation without orgasm.     

Sexual intercourse and current contraceptive use among university students in Finland

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the current frequency of sexual intercourse, the current use of contraceptives, the ever use of emergency contraception, and the ever experience of condom failure among Finnish university students. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of Finnish undergraduate university students (19-34 years of age) in 2004. The randomly selected sample comprised 5030 subjects. The data were collected by postal questionnaire, the response rate being 62.7%. Data were presented with frequency distributions and cross-tabulations. Chi-square test was used. Frequencies for women and men were presented and tested separately. RESULTS: A total of 80% of students were currently practicing sexual intercourse. Approximately half of the female students currently used hormonal contraception and one-third used a condom. Almost half of the men currently used a condom. The simultaneous use of condom and hormonal contraception was rare. Condom failure was common. The ever use of emergency contraception appeared to be associated with condom failure. CONCLUSION: Of Finnish university students 80% were sexually active and hormonal contraceptives were the most popular method of contraception among female students. The use of the condom should be practiced more often for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.     

Sexual experience and risky sexual behaviours of Turkish university students

Objectives  

To determine the sexual experience and risky sexual behaviours of Turkish university students.     

Sexual behavior and risk for pelvic inflammatory disease

Summary Sexual behavior characteristics of 35 patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and 44 healthy controls was studied prospectively. Patients with PID had sex more often than did controls (P<0.001). The mean number of sexual partners or age at first intercourse did not differ significantly between cases and controls. PID patients more often had oral sex than controls (P<0.05). These results suggest that sexual behavior characteristics may be important risk factors for PID, and should be prospectively studied in larger populations.