Open AccessSexual and contraceptive behavior among female university students in Sweden – repeated surveys over a 25‐year period
Author(s) -
Stenhammar Christina,
Ehrsson Ylva Tiblom,
Åkerud Helena,
Larsson Margareta,
Tydén Tanja
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12565
Subject(s) - medicine , condom , demography , pornography , fertility , sexual behavior , reproductive health , sexual intercourse , population , family planning , gynecology , developed country , family medicine , research methodology , psychology , clinical psychology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , environmental health , syphilis , sociology , psychoanalysis
Objective To study female students’ sexual and contraceptive behavior and compare these results with earlier surveys. Design Comparative, repeated cross‐sectional surveys, started in 1989 and repeated every fifth year. Setting Contraceptive counseling delivered at a Student Health Center in Sweden. Population Female university students ( n = 359). Methods Multiple‐choice waiting‐room questionnaire. Main outcome measures Sexual and contraceptive behavior. Results In 1989, age at first intercourse was 17.6 years vs. 16.7 years in 2014, number of lifetime sexual partners was 4.0 vs. 12.1 in 2014, and number of sexual partners during the previous 12 months was 1.0 vs. 2.8 in 2014. Condom use during first intercourse with the latest partner decreased from 49% to 41% ( n = 172 in 2009 vs. n = 148 in 2014: p < 0.001), and experience of anal sex increased from 39% to 46% ( n = 136 in 2009 vs. n = 165 in 2014: p = 0.038), and 25% ( n = 41 in 2014) always used a condom during anal sex. A total of 70% ( n = 251) made use of pornography, and 48% ( n = 121) considered their sexual behavior affected by pornography. Eighty‐nine percent ( n = 291) wanted two to three children and 9% ( n = 33) had thought about freezing eggs for the future. The female students’ knowledge about increasing age being correlated with decreased fertility varied. Conclusions Sexual behavior among female university students has gradually changed during the last 25 years and behavior appears more risky today. As this may have consequences on future reproductive health, it is vital to inform women about consistent and correct condom use and about the limitations of the fertile window.