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Dai Y, Li Y, Zhou D, Zhang J. Analysis of risky sexual behaviors among male college students who were sexually active in Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional survey. AIDS Res Ther 2024; 21:46. [PMID: 39061023 PMCID: PMC11282637 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-024-00636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Males have accounted for a significant share of new HIV infections among young people in the recent years. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with risky sexual behaviors, including early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex, among sexually active male college students and provide implications for tailored health interventions. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to December 2021 in 16 colleges that were located in Sichuan Province, one of the high-risk areas in China. Overall 1640 male college students who reported sexually experienced were analyzed in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to determine factors associated with early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex. RESULTS The average age of included male students was 19.95 ± 1.56. Of them, 27.74% initiated sexual behavior early, 48.60% reported multiple sexual partnership, and 16.52% did not use condoms at the latest sexual intercourse. Students who were younger (age ≤ 19, AOR = 7.60, 95%CI: 4.84-11.93; age20-21, AOR = 3.26, 95%CI: 2.04-5.21) and self-identified as sexual minorities (AOR = 2.38, 95%CI: 1.69-3.36) were more likely to have early sexual debut. The odds of having multiple sexual partners were higher among those who were ethnic minorities (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.33-2.41) and accepted extramarital sex (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.03-1.71). The likelihood of engaging in condomless sex at the latest sexual intercourse was lower among those who had sufficient knowledgeable about HIV (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.44-0.89), were very confident in condom use efficacy (AOR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.16-0.43) and confident (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.34-0.69). Early sexual debut was positively associated with multiple sexual partnership (AOR = 3.64, 95%CI: 2.82-4.71) and condomless sex at the latest intercourse (AOR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.07-2.20), respectively. CONCLUSION Early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex were of considerable concern among male college students. Comprehensive sex education curricula were advised by developing customized information on HIV prevention, sexuality and empowering students with assertiveness and negotiation skills with regard to condom use during and before college.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxue Dai
- Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yajie Li
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Tibet autonomous region, Lhasa, China
| | - Dinglun Zhou
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianxin Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Garcia-Romo GS, Pozo-Molina G, Reyes-Reali J, Mendez-Catala CF, Garrido E, Mendez-Cruz AR, Alanis-Lopez P, Mendoza-Ramos MI, Nieto‐Yañez O, Rivera-Yañez N, Pedroza-Gonzalez A. Prevalence of sexually risky behaviors among Mexican medical students. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302570. [PMID: 38709749 PMCID: PMC11073697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
University students are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections due to the lack of adequate sexual education, as well as multiple associated factors, which lead to risky sexual practices. It is important to update data about sexual behaviors to identify the main factors associated with sexually risky behaviors. The present study aimed to evaluate the current prevalence of sexually risky practices in medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students through an anonymous self-administered online questionnaire including demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable regression to analyze the data collected. A total of 1520 undergraduate medical students aged between 18 and 28 years old were included in the study. Sixty percent of the students were sexually active with a higher proportion in men (70%), likewise, they had an earlier sexual debut (16.5 vs 16.9 years old), and a greater number of lifetime sexual partners than women (3.8 vs 2.2). The main sexual activity in both groups was vaginal sex with high use of condoms (75%), however, most of them (67%) reported having unprotected oral sex. Logistic regression analysis showed that condomless sex was associated with having oral sex, anal sex, and being female. The findings of this study showed that medical university students are involved in risky sexual behaviors, the major risk factor was unprotected oral sex. Based on these results, we recommended designing interventions to improve sexual education and preventive approaches from early stages such as in middle school students to mitigate sexually transmitted infections among medical university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Stella Garcia-Romo
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Morfología y Función, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Glustein Pozo-Molina
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- Laboratorio de Genética y Oncología Molecular, Laboratorio, Edificio A4, Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
| | - Julia Reyes-Reali
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Claudia Fabiola Mendez-Catala
- Laboratorio de Genética y Oncología Molecular, Laboratorio, Edificio A4, Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
- División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, México
| | - Efrain Garrido
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, CINVESTAV-IPN, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Adolfo Rene Mendez-Cruz
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Patricia Alanis-Lopez
- Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 3 del Centro Médico Nacional la Raza del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maria Isabel Mendoza-Ramos
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Oscar Nieto‐Yañez
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
| | - Nelly Rivera-Yañez
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, México
| | - Alexander Pedroza-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, Unidad de Morfología y Función, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
- Carrera de Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México
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Buelow MT, Okdie BM, Kowalsky JM. Ecological validity of common behavioral decision making tasks: evidence across two samples. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2024; 46:187-206. [PMID: 38591953 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2337759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians and scholars routinely use behavioral decision tasks to assess real-world decision making capabilities. However, many common behavioral decision making tasks lack data on the extent to which they predict real-world risky behaviors. Across two pre-registered studies, and two timepoints, we assessed decision making abilities using common behavioral tasks and predicted participants' real-world risky decision making from task performance. METHOD In Study 1, 918 Mechanical Turk (MTurk) workers completed three decision making tasks in addition to assessments of real-world risk behavior: preventive health behaviors, COVID-19 vaccination status, and virtual social distancing task performance. In Study 2, 221 college student participants completed the Study 1 tasks plus additional assessments of decision making and real world risk and protective behaviors. RESULTS Across both studies, the selected behavioral decision tasks rarely predicted real world behavior and, when they did, the relationship was weak at best. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that these behavioral decision making tasks may not be good predictors of real world risky behavior at present, with some evidence that the specificity of the behavior being assessed matters (i.e. the closer the task was to the specific behavior being predicted), calling for additional ecological validity research, with a greater variety of tasks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa T Buelow
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Newark, OH, USA
| | - Bradley M Okdie
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Newark, OH, USA
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Fahey KML, Holm AK, Dermody SS. The Moderating Role of Sexual Orientation in the Association Between Religiosity and Sexual Behaviors Among College Students. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:307-320. [PMID: 37644358 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02678-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Past research has shown that religiosity can impact sexual behaviors of college-aged youth in both positive and negative directions. As many world religions promote doctrines that include negative views toward sexual minorities, the current study aimed to examine the potentially differential ways religiosity is related to sexual behaviors across various sexual orientations. College/university students across Oregon (N = 1553) completed an online cross-sectional survey in which they provided information about their sexual orientation, levels of religiosity, religious affiliation, and endorsed recent sexual behavior outcomes. Using logistic models in PROCESS, sexual orientation was examined as a moderator of the relations between religiosity (assessed via the Centrality of Religiosity Scale; Huber & Huber) and religious affiliation and the occurrence (yes vs. no) of three sexual behaviors in the past 6 months: birth control use during sex, sexual activity under the influence of substances, and testing positive for an STI. Covariates were age and natal sex. Religiosity was related to reduced birth control use in heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Religiosity was not associated with sexual behaviors in bi/pansexual college students. Findings show that religiosity was a salient construct for understanding sexual behaviors in heterosexual and gay/lesbian college students, but not in bi/pansexual college students. Given that religiosity has differential effects for various sexual behaviors that can heighten risk of negative sexual health outcomes, recommendations are made for increased and tailored sexual health education to religiously identified college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalina M L Fahey
- School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA.
| | - Alaina K Holm
- School of Psychological Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Sarah S Dermody
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Zhang W, Wong JYH, Wang T, Fong DYT. University-based behavioral interventions to promote safer sex practices: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023; 71:1822-1833. [PMID: 34516940 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1947835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to critically review the characteristics and effectiveness of university-based intervention to promote safer sex practice. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS The published studies were selected from 5 databases with the publication year restricted between 1974 and 2018. The data were then pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 41 studies with 10,144 participants were included from 5,253 potentially relevant citations. Compared with minimal intervention, those people who participated in the intervention reported a statistically significant increase in the frequency of condom use (SMD 0.61; 95%CI 0.46-0.77, I2 = 9%). There was an insignificant change after the intervention (SMD 0.34; 95%CI -0.04-0.72, I2 = 72%) in communication with sexual partners and the heterogeneity existed in diversity of sessions of the intervention. CONCLUSION Behavioral interventions can significantly increase in the frequency of condom use but not in communication with sexual partners. A standardized measurement is a necessary consideration for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet Y H Wong
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Tingxuan Wang
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Daniel Y T Fong
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
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Li Y, Zhou D, Dai Y, Zhang J. Gender Differences in the Association Between Sexual Orientation and Risky Sexual Behavior Among College Students With Sexual Experience in Sichuan Province, Chinese. Sex Med 2022; 10:100547. [PMID: 35952614 PMCID: PMC9537270 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2022.100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Limited information is available regarding risky sexual behavior among college students with different sexual orientations. Aim The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in the association between sexual orientation and risky sexual behavior among Chinese college students with sexual experience. Methods With a self-assessment questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 73,800 students from 25 vocational colleges (3-year colleges) in the Sichuan province of China. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between sexual orientation and risky sexual behavior among students with sexual experience. Outcomes The main outcome measures used regarding risky sexual behavior are the following: condom use in the last sexual intercourse, early sexual debut, and having multiple sexual partners. Results 12,711 students with sexual experience were included. Sexual minority students were more likely to have an early sexual debut (For male students, homosexual: OR = 1.88, P < .001; bisexual: OR = 1.96, P < .001; unsure: OR = 1.68, P < .001. For female students, homosexual: OR = 1.87, P < .01; bisexual: OR = 2.07, P < .01; unsure: OR = 1.53, P < .05), and less likely to use condoms in their last sexual intercourse (except for homosexual male students) (For male students, bisexual: OR = 0.65, P < .01; unsure: OR = 0.60, P < .001. For female students, homosexual: OR = 0.21, P < .001; bisexual: OR = 0.54, P < .001; unsure: OR = 0.68, tP < .05). There are gender differences in the association between sexual orientation and having multiple sexual partners. Male sexual minorities were more likely to have multiple sexual partners than heterosexual students (homosexual: OR = 2.06, P < .001; bisexual: OR = 1.66, P < .001; unsure: OR = 1.31, P < .05), while the same result was only observed in bisexual female students (OR = 1.46, P < .01). Clinical Implications Sexual health education professionals should consider the sexual orientation of students when providing counseling services or educational intervention, especially for male students and LGBT ones. Strengths & Limitations We examined gender differences in the association between sexual orientation and risky sexual behavior among college students with sexual experience. However, the ability for the cross-sectional survey to address causality is limited, and will be further tested in cohort studies. Conclusion Gender and sexual orientation affect the likelihood of risky sexual behavior among China's college students, and gender differences in the association between sexual orientation and risky sexual behavior should be noticed. Li Y, Zhou D, Dai Y, et al. Gender Differences of the Association Between Sexual Orientation and Risky Sexual Behavior Among College Students With Sexual Experience in Sichuan Province, Chinese. Sex Med 2022;10:100547.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Li
- Tibet Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lhasa, China
| | - Dinglun Zhou
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingxue Dai
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianxin Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Mignault L, Vaillancourt-Morel MP, Ramos B, Brassard A, Daspe MÈ. Is swiping right risky? Dating app use, sexual satisfaction, and risky sexual behavior among adolescents and young adults. SEXUAL AND RELATIONSHIP THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2022.2078804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Mthembu Z, Maharaj P, Rademeyer S. "I am aware of the risks, I am not changing my behaviour": risky sexual behaviour of university students in a high-HIV context. AJAR-AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH 2019; 18:244-253. [PMID: 31575340 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2019.1655075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Unprotected sexual activity increases the risk of pregnancy and HIV and AIDS. More than three decades into the AIDS pandemic, the condom remains the most effective strategy for protecting against the dual risks of pregnancy and HIV and AIDS, but data from national surveys suggest that condom use among young people aged 15-24 is on the decline in South Africa. This study uses qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews and one focus group to examine the risk behaviours of university students aged 18-24 years old, with particular emphasis on understanding the decline in the use of condoms. It is well documented that South Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV and AIDS in the world, however the findings of this study suggest that even though students were well informed about the perceived risks associated with unsafe sexual behaviours, they continue to engage in risk behaviours including unprotected sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners and the use of alcohol. Male students were more likely than female students to report risky sexual behaviours. Condom use is occurring but not consistently. The majority of students did not use condoms during their first sexual encounter because of a lack of preparedness. Negative attitudes towards condoms continue to discourage students from using them consistently, especially those provided by the government. In light of this, it is recommended that rigorous efforts are directed towards challenging inaccurate perceptions about, and attitudes towards, condom use to promote consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinhle Mthembu
- School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Pranitha Maharaj
- DST/NRF South African Research Chair in Economic Development, School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
| | - Shanaaz Rademeyer
- School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , South Africa
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