title: A repeated survey of sexual behavior among female university students in Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate sexual behavior and use of contraceptives among female university students in 2009, and compare the results with surveys from 1999 and 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparative, repeated cross-sectional surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Student Health Center in Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female university students (n=350).
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple-choice waiting-room questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of sexual partners, sexually transmitted diseases, contraceptive methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age was 23.5 years and 57% (n=198) had a stable relationship. Almost all of the women, 99% (n=345), had had intercourse; 97% (n=328) had received and 94% (n=328) had given oral sex. The mean number of sexual partners had increased to 11.0, compared with 7.4 in 2004 and 5.4 in 1999. Sixty-five percent had had 'first-date' intercourse without using a condom, compared to 45% in 2004 and 37% in 1999. More than one-third (39%) had experience of anal intercourse compared with 32% in 2004 and 27% in 1999. Experience of sexually transmitted infections had increased (29% in 2009, 21% in 2004, and 14% in 1999). Condoms were often used at very first intercourse (76%) and oral contraceptives were used at latest intercourse (54%). The use of emergency contraceptive pills had increased to 67%, compared with 52% in 2004 and 22% in 1999.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sexual lifestyle of female university students has become riskier and this might have serious consequences for their sexual and reproductive health in the future.
authors: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors: Tanja
authors: T
authors: Tydén
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Palmqvist
authors: Margareta
authors: M
authors: Larsson
mesh_terms: D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult