[Sexual behavior in a Spanish sample aged 14 to 24 years old].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the sexual behaviors and practices of Spanish adolescents and young adults according to gender.


METHODS
Information was gathered by means of a questionnaire administered in participants' homes in the presence of an interviewer. A random sample was used, consisting of 2,171 adolescents and young adults of both sexes, ranging in age from 14 to 24 years old. The participants were from three distinct regions of Spain: Galicia, Madrid, and Andalusia.


RESULTS
A total of 1,439 participants (66.3%) reported having been sexually active in the previous 6 months, with no statistically significant differences between male (66.4%) and female (66.2%) respondents. However, significant differences were found between males and females in the following variables: anal intercourse was reported by a higher proportion of males than females, the number of sexual partners reported by females was lower than that reported by males and the frequency of vaginal intercourse reported by females was higher than that reported by males. Condom use in anal intercourse and oral sex was more frequently reported by males than by females.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that sexual behavior differs between genders, with females having a lower number of sexual partners and more frequently using a condom in vaginal intercourse but less frequently in oral sex and anal intercourse. In view of these data, we believe that gender should be taken into account when designing and implementing preventive interventions.
Faílde Garrido
José María
JM
Universidad de Vigo, Campus de Ourense, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Campus Universitario de As Lagoas, Ourense, España. jfailde@uvigo.es
Lameiras Fernández
María
M
Bimbela Pedrola
José Luis
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult