scholarly journals Sexual behaviour and risk of sexually transmitted infections in young female healthcare students in Spain

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Navarro-Cremades ◽  
Antonio Palazón-Bru ◽  
Dolores Marhuenda-Amorós ◽  
María Isabel Tomás-Rodríguez ◽  
Fina Antón-Ruiz ◽  
...  

Background.Several authors have examined the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI), but no study has yet analyzed it solely in relation with sexual behaviour in women. We analyzed the association of sexual behaviour with STI risk in female university students of healthcare sciences.Methods.We designed a cross-sectional study assessing over three months vaginal intercourse with a man. The study involved 175 female university students, without a stable partner, studying healthcare sciences in Spain. Main outcome variable: STI risk (not always using male condoms). Secondary variables: sexual behaviour, method of orgasm, desire to increase the frequency of sexual relations, desire to have more variety in sexual relations, frequency of sexual intercourse with the partner, and age. The information was collected with an original questionnaire. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) in order to analyze the association between the STI risk and the study variables.Results.Of the 175 women, 52 were positive for STI risk (29.7%, 95% CI [22.9–36.5%]). Factors significantly associated with STI risk (p< 0.05) included: orgasm (not having orgasms →OR = 7.01, 95% CI [1.49–33.00]; several methods →OR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.31–1.90]; one single method →OR = 1;p= 0.008) and desiring an increased frequency of sexual activities (OR = 0.27, 95% CI [0.13–0.59],p< 0.001).Conclusions.Women’s desire for sexual activities and their sexual function were significant predictors of their risk for STI. Information about sexual function is an intrinsic aspect of sexual behaviour and should be taken into consideration when seeking approaches to reduce risks for STI.

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 966-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dangui Zhang ◽  
Hui Pan ◽  
Binglin Cui ◽  
Frieda Law ◽  
Jeremy Farrar ◽  
...  

Introduction: This study investigated the current state of attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge concerning sex and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Chinese university students. Methodology: A cross-sectional anonymous university intranet-based survey was given to students attending the Shantou University, Guangdong, China using a 28-item questionnaire. Results: Of 3425 website visitors, 1030 university students completed the survey, of which 80% were between 20 and 25 years of age, 76% considered pre-marital sex acceptable, 21% had had sexual intercourse, and 45% of sexually active students had engaged in oral sex, anal intercourse, or sex with strangers. Students had limited knowledge and awareness about common STIs, symptoms, and complications. Three percent of the sexually active students reported having had STIs and another 8% were not sure whether they had or not. Most students had misconceptions about transmission and prevention of STIs. The internet was the main information resource for 76% of students. Conclusions: Despite having more open attitudes and behaviors towards sex, students’ STI knowledge and awareness of STI risks was considerably limited, raising concerns about a likely rise in STI incidence. Prior knowledge of STIs had no significant influence. Targeted educational measures such as online education and counseling via Chinese websites and social media, and the provision of safer sex and STI-related information by health experts to university students are suggested.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-487
Author(s):  
Shekhar KC ◽  
Manoj Adhikary ◽  
Dharmendra Karn

Background: Venereophobia is fear of getting sexually transmitted disease after first or repeated unprotected sexual activities with unsafe or safe partners. This study aims to study the epidemiological profile, varying clinical presentations and spectrum of psychiatric diagnoses among venereophobia patients Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective and observational study was conducted among 72 consecutive patients of venereophobia. Patients with symptoms of fear of sexually transmitted infections were evaluated with relevant history and genital examination. Additionally psychiatric evaluation was done for associated diagnoses. Patients with symptoms and clinical signs of sexually transmitted infections were excluded from the study. Results: A total of 68 male and 4 females presented with the symptoms. The mean age of presentation was 25.85±5.15 years. Most of them were either servicemen (38.8%) followed by students (23.6%). After a mean time of 11±10.44 days of sexual activity, patients developed symptoms. Common presentations were genital papules (25%), slough (22.2%) and genital itchy sensation (15.3%). A total of 23(33.8%) patients visited to commercial sex workers with mean spells of visiting 3.2±2.67 times. Factors as regular use of condom and knowledge of overall STI was lacking; while self investigation and multiple doctor visit was common. Pearly penile papule 18(25%) was the commonest diagnosis made on clinical examination. A total of 43 (59.7%) cases were diagnosed with psychiatric conditions, most common being anxiety neurosis (58.1%). Conclusions: Venereophobia was commonly found to be associated with psychiatric illnesses. A proper anamnesis, genital and psychiatric evaluation of this common entity may prevent misdiagnosis and associated complications. Keywords: Phobia; sexually transmitted infections; venereal


2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slobodan Subotic ◽  
Vladimir Vukomanovic ◽  
Svetlana Djukic ◽  
Svetlana Radevic ◽  
Snezana Radovanovic ◽  
...  

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual habits, and behavior among students of medical and nonmedical students in Serbia.Methodology: The cross-sectional study of 1,273 university students of four undergraduate institutions in Serbia, two of medical and two of nonmedical orientation. A standardized questionnaire, prepared in line with the questionnaire of the European health research—the second wave (European Health Interview Survey—EHIS wave 2), according to defined internationally accepted indicators, was used as a survey instrument.Results: Statistically significant difference (p &lt; 0.001) between medical and nonmedical student groups was determined for the following parameters: naming four of five STIs (29.1 vs. 13.4%), knowledge about vaccines against some STIs (26.0 vs. 17.0%), relationship between HPV infection and cervical malignancy (48.2 vs. 16.7%) engaged in the sexual relations (87.9 vs. 76.4%), never used a condom (15.2 vs. 10.4%), underwent gynecological or urological examination (66.7 vs. 44.1%), and tested to one of STIs (10.5 vs. 4.9%).Conclusion: Both student groups have limited knowledge on possible consequences that risky sexual behavior has for reproductive health. Promotion of knowledge about STIs, awareness of all complications, and consequences of these infections certainly affect the reduction of risky behavior.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Conceição de Almeida Ramos ◽  
Thelma Spindola ◽  
Claudia Silvia Rocha Oliveira ◽  
Elizabeth Rose Costa Martins ◽  
Giselle da Silva Figueiredo Lima ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the sexual practices adopted by university students for the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections Method: a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted in 2016, at a private university in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A convenience sample was selected, stratified by gender, of 768 students who answered a self-administered questionnaire, structured with variables of sociodemographic characterization and related to knowledge about sexually transmitted infections, sexual practices, prevention practices and care with sexual health. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and analysis of variance were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: most of the university students ‒ 654 (85.16%) ‒ had an active sex life and 480 (62.54%) did not use condoms in all their sexual encounters. Among the participants, 509 (84.83%) said they had sexual intercourse with a steady partner, of which 224 (44.01%) used a condom. In the investigated group, 313 (47.86%) had relationships with casual partners, with 199 (63.58%) reporting having used a condom. Among the participants, 174 (26.61%) had their sexual practices classified as adequate/satisfactory. Conclusion: the findings show that the university students investigated present a risk behavior for Sexually Transmitted Infections due to inadequate/unsatisfactory sexual practices. Health education actions should consider cultural and individual aspects of the group in order to encourage reflection on practices for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.


Author(s):  
Juliana Pontes Soares ◽  
Sheila Araújo Teles ◽  
Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano ◽  
Thaynara Ferreira Amorim ◽  
Maria Eliane Moreira Freire ◽  
...  

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and associated factors in sugarcane cutters. Method: a cross-sectional, analytical study with 937 sugarcane cutters from Paraíba and Goiás, states of Brazil, respectively. An outcome variable was the positive results in some rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Bivariate and multiple analyses were performed to identify the association between these infections and sociodemographic and behavioral variables. Results: all participants were male, most were young adults and had low schooling. Prevalence of STI was estimated at 4.1% (95% CI: 3.0-5.5). According to multiple regression analysis, the variables age over 40 years (OR 5.0; CI 95%: 1.8-14), alcohol consumption (OR 3.9; CI 95%: 1.3-11.9), and illicit drugs (OR 2.9; CI 95%: 1.3-6.3) were factors associated with the STIs investigated. On the other hand, having some religion (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.8), and work in the Midwest Region (OR 0.4; CI 95%: 0.2-0.9) were factors negatively associated with these infections. Conclusion: presence of risk behaviors for STI among sugarcane cutters. Screening for these infections in groups of rural workers is essential for early diagnosis and breaking the chain of transmission.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Belayneh Ayanaw Kassie ◽  
Hedja Yenus ◽  
Resom Berhe ◽  
Eskeziaw Abebe Kassahun

Abstract Introduction Globally, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health problem. University students tend to practices sex which predisposes them to sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions due to their freedom from families. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among the University of Gondar students, northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 845 the University of Gondar students selected using the multistage sampling technique from March 7–10, 2016. The data were collected using a structured, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed through SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with sexually transmitted infections. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was computed to determine the level of association. In the multivariable analysis, variables with p-value less than 5% were considered as statistically significant association between covariates and sexually transmitted infections. Result Sexually transmitted infections among university students were found to be 18.20% (95%CI,15.40,20.80). Previous history of sexually transmitted infections (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.04, 4.38), multiple sexual partners in life (AOR = 2.7; 95%CI:1.70, 4.40), not use of condoms during sexual intercourses (AOR = 2.4; 95%CI:1.50,3.75) and poor knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (AOR = 3.3; 95%CI:1.09,5.32) were significantly associated with sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion The prevalence of STIs was high among university students. The previous history of sexually transmitted infections, multiple sexual partners, not using condoms during sexual intercourse and poor knowledge of sexually transmitted infections were found to be associated with the infections. Opening and strengthen reproductive health centers on the campuses, popularizing sexual, and reproductive health information and education, particularly on STI modes of transmission, prevention, and health-seeking behaviors, and providing information on accessing of condoms is recommended to reduce sexually transmitted infections.


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