| Abstract [eng] |
Prevalence of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Students in Different Faculties of Vilnius University. The relevance of the study. After the youth starts living intimate life a wide range of problems related to sexual behaviour arises, such as a frequent change of sexual partners, non-use of contraception, as well as alcohol and drugs abuse. These are the factors of risky sexual behaviour which must be monitored and analysed in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies and abortions. The aim of the study. To assess the spread of risky sexual behaviour and its connection with demographic and social determinants in a group of students from various faculties of Vilnius University. The objective of the study. 1. To describe sexual behaviour and to determine the prevalence of risky sexual behaviour; 2. To assess the spread of risky sexual behaviour and its connection with demographic and social determinants; 3. To assess the influence of alcohol and drugs to sexual behaviour. Methodology. The contingent of the research consisted of 1-6 year students from the Faculties of Chemistry, Economics, Philology, Natural Sciences and Medicine of Vilnius University. An anonymous questionnaire was filled in by 1404 students. The questionnaire consisted of 36 closed-ended and open-ended questions about the statements of Risky Sex Scale by T. O’Hare, history of sexual life, risky behaviour, as well as social and demographic data. The influence of various factors to risky sexual behaviour of respondents was studied by logic regression. Results. 73.8 per cent of students were sexually active. The prevalence of sexually active students varied in different faculties from 65.0 per cent and 80.2 per cent (p<0.001). The prevalence of sexually active students by the area from which they came to study ranged from 66.7 per cent and 78.6 per cent (p=0.04). The prevalence of sexually active students according to the financial conditions ranged from 54.0 per cent to 79.1 per cent (p<0.001). Sexual life of men and women began from 14 years old to 24 years old; median: 18 years. 92.1 per cent of students had 1-3 sexual partners throughout their lives. The prevalence of risky sexual behaviour amounted to 25.1 per cent (95% CI 22.5-27.8). Prevalence of risky sexual behaviour was higher in a group of women (27.6 per cent) than men (20.2 per cent, p=0.01) and between the students coming from any other city (30.5 per cent; 95% CI 25.6-35.5; p=0.01). Risky sexual behaviour was deeply connected with average financial conditions (OR=1.83; 95% CI 1.12-3.00; p=0.02). 29.2 per cent of students stated that they were under the influence of alcohol during their sexual intercourses (95% CI 26.4-32.1) and 3.8 per cent stated that they were under the influence of drugs (95% CI 1.9-5.1). According to Risky Sex Scale it was determined that the following factors influence risky sex expectations and risky sexual behaviour: use of alcohol and narcotic/psychotropic substances and good material conditions, while perception of risky sexual behaviour is associated with sex and the use of alcohol. Conclusion. The most important factors which influence risky sexual behaviour are the following: the use of alcohol and narcotic substances, as well as good material conditions. The study used “Risky Sex Scale” which was an appropriate source to identify factors; therefore, this instrument could be useful for further youth sexual behaviour monitoring and evaluation of interventions. |
