Factors perceived to influence risky sexual behaviours among university students in the United Kingdom: a qualitative telephone interview study

BMC Public Health

Jennifer V Freeman¹  Elizabeth C Goyder¹  Alicia O’Cathain¹  Elton Chanakira¹ 

[1] School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

关键词: Qualitative research;    Public health;    Sexually transmitted infections;    Sexual behaviour;    University students;    Young people;   

Others  :  1126278
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-1055

 received in 2014-05-26, accepted in 2014-09-16,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

In the United Kingdom people under the age of 25 years are at increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Most university students belong to this age group but little is known about their sexual behaviours. The aim of the study was to explore university students’ perspectives of factors and mechanisms that influence risky sexual behaviours among university students in the United Kingdom.

Methods

All students at a university in a northern city of England were invited via email to participate in qualitative telephone interviews. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analytical approach was used.

Results

Twenty interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of students. The social context of university lifestyle was perceived to affect risky sex through high levels of alcohol consumption, increased sexual opportunities, liberation from moral surveillance and expectations of the stereotypical highly sexually active student. Individual and cultural differences were also perceived to account for some patterns of risky sex with older students, overseas students and religious students perceived to be less likely to engage in risky sex due to academic priorities and a tendency to be more likely to adhere to moral values. Risk denial was also a key factor that led students to engage in risky sex. Poor access to sexual health services including inconvenient opening times, lack of confidentiality and stigma were perceived to contribute to the limited use of sexually transmitted infections testing and contraceptive services.

Conclusions

Lifestyle, individual and structural factors seem to play an important role in influencing the risky sexual behaviours of university students. Therefore preventive interventions that focus on these factors could be very useful in this sub-population of young people. This study provides useful baseline information that helps us understand how and why some United Kingdom university students engage in risky sexual behaviours that puts them at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Chanakira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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