Sexual intercourse and current contraceptive use among university students in Finland

Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours among Undergraduate Students in China-Implications for Sex Education

BACKGROUND

Despite rapid modernization and improving gender equity in China in recent decades, traditional values prevail in many areas of life, including sexual behavior. This study aimed to explore gender differences in sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behaviors, as well as preferences for sex education among undergraduates in China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study surveyed 5965 undergraduates (62.8% females), aged 15 to 24 years from nine universities in Zhejiang, Henan and Yunnan provinces, from September to November 2019.

RESULTS

Of the total sample, 158 (2.6%) self-identified as homosexual, 287 (4.8%) as bisexual and 324 (5.4%) stated they were unclear about their sexual identity. The mean sexual knowledge score out of 12 was 6.16 ± 2.54 points. Ever having sexual intercourse was reported by 18.7% (27.0% males, and 13.9% females). Students from urban backgrounds, and those with homosexual and bisexual orientation were more likely to have had sexual intercourse. Most students (72.5%) reported that they would prefer to receive sex education from on-line sources.

CONCLUSIONS

Female students are significantly more conservative in sexual attitudes and sexual behaviors. Low levels of sexual knowledge contribute to risk behaviors among Chinese adolescents. China needs to develop and widely disseminate on-line sex education, with practical, age-appropriate content.

Modelling Trends in Contraception Usage in Nigeria and Ghana

This study examines trends in contraception usage using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from Nigeria (2013) and Ghana (2008, 2014). We used a cubic spline to estimate values between intervals, analysed using the time-series neural network model and forecasting till 2030. Results show contraception usage increasing with an average rate of 4.4 per cent, desire not to use declining at an average rate of 0.7 per cent and the use of modern contraception increasing at an average rate of 5.1 per cent. Use of traditional contraception is still increasing in Nigeria at a rate of 0.6 per cent but declining in Ghana at a rate of 0.3 per cent. By 2030, injectables would be mostly used, while the withdrawal method will be preferred among those still in favour of the traditional method. These trends show the readiness of the two countries to embrace the use of modern contraception in an effort to promote the campaign for Planned Parenthood and Family Programme.

Behavioral Sexual Characteristics of Female Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina

INTRODUCTION

Characteristics of sexual behaviour of female students, which will affect fertility in adulthood, represent one of the critical parameters of reproductive health.

AIM

The aim of this study was assess characteristics of sexual behavior of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective study on a representative sample of 2,872 regular girls aged 19-24 years, an anonymous survey on the reproductive health of female students in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2007 to 2009 was conducted.

RESULTS

Of the total number (N = 2872) of surveyed female students, 49.44% were sexually active. Average sexarcha age was 18.14±1.83 years, and there was statistically significant earlier sexarcha in female students in Banja Luka vs. female students of the University of Sarajevo (p<0.001), as well as in female students in Mostar vs. female students of the University of Tuzla (p<0.001). Sexually active female students in 74,4 % cases had intercourses with only one partner, and 7,7 % of them had intercourses with three or more partners. Regarding the use of contraceptive methods, 69.4% female students were using contraception at first intercourse and 66.7% of them at last intercourse. 3.5% of sexually active students (N=50) had intentional abortion. Almost half (46.9%) of surveyed female students had regular pelvic exams; nearly two-third of those (63.4%) had gynecological exams in private institutions, and 36.6% of them in public health facilitie. Only one-third (35.8%) sexually active female students in BiH stated that Pap test was performed.

CONCLUSION

Sexual behaviour of female students in BiH is less risky than in the immediate environment, but health care quality is poor.

Subjectivity About Sexual Ethics Among Korean Undergraduate Students Using Q Methodology

PURPOSE

Most undergraduate students are in the phase of gaining mental and physical autonomy from their parents as they expand their worlds. The ways that sexual ethics are established during this time may have an important influence on healthy lifestyles and the maintenance of social order. This study aims to determine a typology of undergraduate students' sexual ethics and the characteristics that compose the types.

METHODS

Q methodology, which analyzes the subjectivity of each type of attitude, was used. The 44 selected Q statements from 43 participants were classified into the shape of a normal distribution using a 9-point scale. The collected data were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program.

RESULTS

The results revealed three discrete groups of students with respect to sexual ethics: traditional absolute purity type, open-minded compromise type, and rational responsibility type.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that different approaches to educational programs on sexual ethics are recommended for undergraduate students based on the three types studied.

Childbearing, the desire to have children, and awareness about the impact of age on female fertility among Finnish university students

OBJECTIVE

To describe Finnish university students' childbearing histories, desires concerning childbearing, and awareness regarding the impact of age on female fertility.

METHODS

A national survey of Finnish university students in 2008. A questionnaire was sent to 9,967 Finnish undergraduate university students aged less than 35 years. Altogether, the questionnaire was answered by 1,864 men and 3,222 women. The overall response rate was 51% (42% for men and 59% for women). Students were asked about their number of children, desired childbearing, and awareness of the effect of age on female fertility.

RESULTS

Of the respondents, 8.25% had children, and 94.0% wanted to have children in the future. Female students were more aware of the impact of age on female fertility than were male students. Over half of the men and approximately one-third of the women thought that the marked decrease in female fertility begins after the age of 45 years.

CONCLUSIONS

A vast majority of Finnish university students wanted to have children in the future. Their awareness of the natural, age-related decline in female fertility was insufficient. Sexual health education in schools and health care personnel's family planning counselling, for both men and women, should include information about the age-related drop in fertility.

Current contraceptive awareness and use in Greek dental school students

AIMS

We conducted a pilot study in female dental school students in Northern Greece in order to assess their awareness and practice of contraception.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 88 female graduating students of the dental school. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was designed to explore students' awareness and use of contraceptive methods.

RESULTS

Condoms were the most widely used contraceptive method (they were used by 52.3% of the students); 20.5% of the students were using condoms in alternation or together with coitus interruptus, and 6.8% were using only coitus interruptus. The oral contraceptive pill (OC) was used as the only contraceptive method by 4.5% of the students and in combination with condoms by 9.1% of them. The majority (53.4%) considered condoms as the most effective contraceptive method; 9.1% of the students answered "sterilization" and the same percentage stated "intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)." Overall, 20.5% of the students believed that the OC increases the risk of cancer, and 36.4% did not know if there is an association between OC use and risk of cancer. Among students not using OC, the respective percentages were 23.7% and 42.1%. among the students, 59.1% had asked their gynecologist about contraception. The contraceptive method used and the perception regarding the most effective contraceptive method did not differ significantly between those who had consulted their gynecologist and those who had not.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental school students in Greece appear to have inaccurate knowledge on important contraceptive issues, and this is reflected in their contraceptive practices. There is a pressing need to provide scientifically based sexual education if we are to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Estrogen-progestin contraceptive use during adolescence prevents bone mass acquisition: a 4-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Estrogen-progestin contraception may affect estrogen production and alter the development of peak bone mass.

STUDY DESIGN

A 4-year follow-up with 122 adolescent women aged 12-19 years. The data were divided into three groups based on estrogen-progestin contraceptive (EPC) use: (i) nonusers (n=52), (ii) 1-2 years of use (n=24) and (iii) use for more than 2 years (n=46). The estrogen dose of the preparations was < or =35 mcg. Height, weight, and the amount of exercise (ratio of work metabolic rate, h/week) as well as bone mineral content (BMC) of lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured repeatedly.

RESULTS

There was a significant trend showing less of an increase in the mean adjusted BMC of lumbar spine in the group of adolescent women who had used EPC for more than 2 years compared with the two other groups. In the mean adjusted BMC of the femoral neck, there was a significant trend of a smaller increase in EPC users for more than 2 years compared with 1-2 years of use.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term EPC with low-dose estrogen preparations seems to suppress normal bone mineral accrual in adolescent women.