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PloS one
2024;19 (7): e0304804.

Factors associated with casual sexual behavior among college students in Zhejiang Province, China: A cross-sectional survey.

Zhongrong Yang, Wanjun Chen, Weiyong Chen, Qiaoqin Ma, Hui Wang, Tingting Jiang, Yun Fu, Xin Zhou
Author Information
  1. Zhongrong Yang: Huzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China. ORCID
  2. Wanjun Chen: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
  3. Weiyong Chen: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. ORCID
  4. Qiaoqin Ma: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
  5. Hui Wang: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
  6. Tingting Jiang: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
  7. Yun Fu: Huzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China.
  8. Xin Zhou: Department of HIV/STD Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
PMID: 38995903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304804

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with casual sexual behavior among sexually active college students and to contribute to AIDS prevention and control efforts among this demographic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Self-reported sexually active college students were selected as respondents from 11 cities in Zhejiang Province from October 8 to November 30, 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect variables such as demographic information, sexual attitudes, intervention acceptance, and self-efficacy of condom use. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Among 3,771 college students who reported engaging in sexual activity, 675 (17.90%) reported engaging in casual sexual encounters. The multivariate analysis revealed multiple factors associated with casual sexual behavior among students: being male, originating from a city/town, having pursued HIV testing education in the last year, seeking HIV risk self-assessment within the last year, accepting to engage in one-night stand behavior, accepting to partake in commercial sexual activity, having conducted HIV antibody tests within the last year, homosexual partner or homosexual/heterosexual partner, demonstrating self-efficacy in condom usage, and monthly living expenses falling within the range of 1001-1500 yuan. Additionally, students with knowledge that appearance does not determine HIV infection, a proclivity for seeking HIV counseling and testing following high-risk sexual behavior and awareness that the centers for disease control provides HIV diagnosis were found to have significant associations with casual sexual activity. Casual sex is significantly prevalent among college students, with male, students from urban areas, those who accepted to engage in one-night stand behavior and partook in commercial sexual activity demonstrating a higher propensity for such behavior. This tendency can be attributed to several factors including a more liberal sexual attitude, a rudimentary understanding of HIV risk, and a low adoption rate of HIV testing. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance HIV prevention and education among college students.

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MeSH Term

Humans
Male
China
Female
Cross-Sectional Studies
Students
Young Adult
Sexual Behavior
Universities
Adolescent
Condoms
Adult
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Sexual Partners
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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