Self-reported sexually transmitted infections among female university students

  • Ylva Tiblom Ehrsson Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; and Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Christina Stenhammar Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Andreas Rosenblad Centre for Clinical Research Västerås, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås, Sweden
  • Helena Åkerud Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Margareta Larsson Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Tanja Tydén Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/03009734.2015.1093568
Keywords: Condom use, contraception, female sexuality, human papillomavirus, sexually transmitted diseases, women’s health, screening, young adult women

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the occurrence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated factors among female university students requesting contraceptive counselling.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional study. Female university students (n = 353) completed a waiting-room questionnaire in connection with contraceptive counselling at a Student Health Centre in Uppsala, Sweden.

Results: Ninety-three (26.3%) female students had experienced an STI. The three most frequently reported STIs were chlamydia trachomatis, condyloma, and genital herpes. The experience of an STI was significantly associated with the total number of sexual partners (OR 1.060, 95% CI 1.030–1.091, P < 0.001), being heterosexual (OR 4.640, 95% CI 1.321–16.290, P = 0.017), having experienced an abortion (OR 2.744, 95% CI 1.112–6.771, P = 0.028), not being HPV-vaccinated (OR 2.696, 95% CI 1.473–4.935, P = 0.001), and having had intercourse on first night without using a condom (OR 2.375, 95% CI 1.182–4.771, P = 0.015).

Conclusions: Contraceptive counselling should also include information about primary and secondary prevention of STI, such as the importance of correct use of a condom and STI testing, to prevent a further spread of STIs.

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Published
2015-10-22
How to Cite
Tiblom Ehrsson Y., Stenhammar C., Rosenblad A., Åkerud H., Larsson M., & Tydén T. (2015). Self-reported sexually transmitted infections among female university students. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 121(1), 45–49. https://doi.org/10.3109/03009734.2015.1093568
Issue
Vol. 121 No. 1 (2016): Upsala J Med Sci
Section
Original Articles

Authors retain copyright of their work, with first publication rights granted to Upsala Medical Society. Read the full Copyright- and Licensing Statement.

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