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  • Title: [Sexual behavior and contraceptive practices among university students].
    Author: Repossi A, Araneda JM, Bustos L, Puente C, Rojas C.
    Journal: Rev Med Chil; 1994 Jan; 122(1):27-35. PubMed ID: 8066340.
    Abstract:
    The aim of this work was to study the knowledge, opinions and sexual behaviour of a sample of 464 students from the Universidad Austral de Chile. Results show that 78% of male and 41% of female students have had a sexual intercourse and that 78% of males and 72% of females with an active sexual life use contraceptive methods. The principal reasons to avoid the use of these methods are the irregularity of sexual intercourse and the reduction in pleasure. Most students think that these methods are harmful for their health but they should be used. The use of contraceptive methods increase with the frequency of sexual relations and university experience, but first year students use them more frequently than second year students. Most students know several contraceptive methods, but their knowledge about mechanisms of action is inadequate or distorted. Likewise, more than 50% think that it is possible to prevent pregnancy after a sexual intercourse. It is concluded that most sexually active students use contraceptive methods, but inappropriately. Stereotypes, myths and lack of information are influencing their sexual and contraceptive practices, showing incoherence between their knowledge and behavior. A possible explanation could be a scarce influence of high school and religion on their sexual formation. A random sample of 464 students of the University Austral of Chile were surveyed concerning their sexual practices and contraceptive usage. 78% of the male and 41% of the female students had had sexual intercourse. Among male and female students respectively, 21% and 19% had regular sexual relations, 33% and 24% had sporadic relations, and 24% and 20% were not sexually active at the time of the survey. 78% of sexually active males and 72% of sexually active females had ever used contraception. 57% had ever used condoms, 56% withdrawal, and 35% oral contraceptives (OCs). Among the 27% of sexually active students who had never used contraception, 78% cited sporadic relations and 39% reduction in sexual pleasure as reasons for nonuse. Use of contraception increased regularly with age, from 68% of sexually active students under 21 to 85% among students over 23 years old. It increased with frequency of intercourse, from 72% of those with sporadic relations to 91% of those having intercourse weekly or more often. There was no statistically significant relationship between religious background and contraceptive usage. The proportions believing specific contraceptive methods to be harmful to health were 65% for OCs, 53% for IUDs, 29% for injectables, and 19% for spermicides. 69% stated it is always necessary to use contraception. Two-thirds of the sexually active students knew more than three methods. 49% believed that vaginal washing after coitus could prevent pregnancy.
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