[Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behaviour Among Young People in Catalonia].

BACKGROUND

Sexual behavior in young people is influenced by external factors that may increase their vulnerability.

OBJECTIVE

to describe sexual behavior and other indicators of sexual and reproductive health among young people (16 to 24 years) in Catalonia and to identify factors associated with sexual risk behaviors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in 2012 carried out by an online survey from a panel of population (n=800). Factors associated with not using a condom at last sexual intercourse were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

76.1% of boys and 83.3% of girls reported having had complete sexual intercourse (p=0.012). The proportion of boys and girls who reported casual partners was 39.7% and 22.5%, respectively. 31.4% of boys and 10.3% of girls reported having contacted partners through Internet. Not using a condom at first sexual intercourse showed significant association with reporting not using a condom in the last sexual intercourse, for both, boys (OR= 2.50) and girls (OR= 3.18). Having contacted partners through the Internet (OR=2.29) was associated with this risky sexual behavior in boys, and having used the emergency contraception 3 or more times (OR=3.38) was associated in girls.

CONCLUSIONS

There are differences in the sexual behavior of young people by sex, being condom use at first sexual relationship a good predictor of condom use at last sexual intercourse. Boys show a higher number of casual partners than girls, as well as a higher use of the Internet to contact sexual partners.