Discussion
This study aimed to determine characteristics of the sexual behaviours, the prevalence of STIs and the variables associated with contracting an STI among a national sample of sexually active Canadian postsecondary students. The sample was taken from the largest-ever Canadian cohort to complete the ACHA-NCHA survey. Our findings suggest that in this group a wide array of demographic, sexual behaviours, lifestyle and individual factors influence the risk of acquiring an STI.
From the demographic perspective, results of our study show significant association between membership to the 21-24 years old age group, and female sex and the likelihood of acquiring an STI (OR=1.436; 95% CI, 1.226 to 1.682 and OR=1.321; 95% CI, 1.121 to 1.555, …show more content…
These findings are similar to those reported in previous studies [38,39]. Participating in anal intercourse, particularly receptive anal intercourse, is a well-recognized risk factor for getting STIs, including HIV [38-41]. Possible explanations for this added risk is the susceptibility of rectal mucosa to traumatic abrasions during the intercourse and its lack of the humoral immunity of cervicovaginal secretions [39,42]. Furthermore, engaging in anal intercourse is also associated with lower rates of condom use and with other risky sexual behaviours including multiple sexual partners [39,40,43]. Tian et al. reported that among 2357 heterosexual patients attending 3 public STD clinics in US, 63% never used condoms for anal intercourse [44]. Engaging in heterosexual anal intercourse is not an uncommon practice among sexually active young women [39], with even greater rates in those with higher education and income level [39, 45]. Interestingly, we found that 37.23% of our study group have experienced anal intercourse which is higher than 23% reported from a previous research among non-virgin undergraduate students [38]. Other studies estimated the prevalence of anal …show more content…
Possible explanations for such high frequencies are peer influence, and tendency for having casual sex rather than having sex as an expression of intimacy [59,60]. Additionally, ease of access to find casual sex partners by these young adults of the digital generation, using social media, dating internet sites, and smartphone dating applications may be a facilitator of multiple sexual partnerships and other risky sexual behaviours
This study aimed to determine characteristics of the sexual behaviours, the prevalence of STIs and the variables associated with contracting an STI among a national sample of sexually active Canadian postsecondary students. The sample was taken from the largest-ever Canadian cohort to complete the ACHA-NCHA survey. Our findings suggest that in this group a wide array of demographic, sexual behaviours, lifestyle and individual factors influence the risk of acquiring an STI.
From the demographic perspective, results of our study show significant association between membership to the 21-24 years old age group, and female sex and the likelihood of acquiring an STI (OR=1.436; 95% CI, 1.226 to 1.682 and OR=1.321; 95% CI, 1.121 to 1.555, …show more content…
These findings are similar to those reported in previous studies [38,39]. Participating in anal intercourse, particularly receptive anal intercourse, is a well-recognized risk factor for getting STIs, including HIV [38-41]. Possible explanations for this added risk is the susceptibility of rectal mucosa to traumatic abrasions during the intercourse and its lack of the humoral immunity of cervicovaginal secretions [39,42]. Furthermore, engaging in anal intercourse is also associated with lower rates of condom use and with other risky sexual behaviours including multiple sexual partners [39,40,43]. Tian et al. reported that among 2357 heterosexual patients attending 3 public STD clinics in US, 63% never used condoms for anal intercourse [44]. Engaging in heterosexual anal intercourse is not an uncommon practice among sexually active young women [39], with even greater rates in those with higher education and income level [39, 45]. Interestingly, we found that 37.23% of our study group have experienced anal intercourse which is higher than 23% reported from a previous research among non-virgin undergraduate students [38]. Other studies estimated the prevalence of anal …show more content…
Possible explanations for such high frequencies are peer influence, and tendency for having casual sex rather than having sex as an expression of intimacy [59,60]. Additionally, ease of access to find casual sex partners by these young adults of the digital generation, using social media, dating internet sites, and smartphone dating applications may be a facilitator of multiple sexual partnerships and other risky sexual behaviours