OBJECTIVE: To investigate sexual behavior and use of contraceptives among female university students in 2009, and compare the results with surveys from 1999 and 2004. DESIGN: Comparative, repeated cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: A Student Health Center in Sweden. POPULATION: Female university students (n=350). METHODS: Multiple-choice waiting-room questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods. RESULTS: Mean age was 23.5 years and 57% (n=198) had a stable relationship. Almost all of the women, 99% (n=345), had had intercourse; 97% (n=328) had received and 94% (n=328) had given oral sex. The mean number of sexual partners had increased to 11.0, compared with 7.4 in 2004 and 5.4 in 1999. Sixty-five percent had had 'first-date' intercourse without using a condom, compared to 45% in 2004 and 37% in 1999. More than one-third (39%) had experience of anal intercourse compared with 32% in 2004 and 27% in 1999. Experience of sexually transmitted infections had increased (29% in 2009, 21% in 2004, and 14% in 1999). Condoms were often used at very first intercourse (76%) and oral contraceptives were used at latest intercourse (54%). The use of emergency contraceptive pills had increased to 67%, compared with 52% in 2004 and 22% in 1999. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual lifestyle of female university students has become riskier and this might have serious consequences for their sexual and reproductive health in the future.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate sexual behavior and use of contraceptives among female university students in 2009, and compare the results with surveys from 1999 and 2004. DESIGN: Comparative, repeated cross-sectional surveys. SETTING: A Student Health Center in Sweden. POPULATION: Female university students (n=350). METHODS: Multiple-choice waiting-room questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods. RESULTS: Mean age was 23.5 years and 57% (n=198) had a stable relationship. Almost all of the women, 99% (n=345), had had intercourse; 97% (n=328) had received and 94% (n=328) had given oral sex. The mean number of sexual partners had increased to 11.0, compared with 7.4 in 2004 and 5.4 in 1999. Sixty-five percent had had 'first-date' intercourse without using a condom, compared to 45% in 2004 and 37% in 1999. More than one-third (39%) had experience of anal intercourse compared with 32% in 2004 and 27% in 1999. Experience of sexually transmitted infections had increased (29% in 2009, 21% in 2004, and 14% in 1999). Condoms were often used at very first intercourse (76%) and oral contraceptives were used at latest intercourse (54%). The use of emergency contraceptive pills had increased to 67%, compared with 52% in 2004 and 22% in 1999. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual lifestyle of female university students has become riskier and this might have serious consequences for their sexual and reproductive health in the future.