Sexual health and socioeconomic-related factors in Spain.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to describe sexual health in Spain according to three important indicators of the World Health Organization definition and explore the influence of socioeconomic factors.


METHODS
We performed a population-based cross-sectional study of sexually active people aged 16-44 years residing in Spain in 2009 (2365 women and 2532 men). Three main aspects of sexual health were explored: sexual satisfaction, safe sex, and sexual abuse. The independent variables explored were age, age at first intercourse, reason for first intercourse, type of partner, level of education, country of origin, religiousness, parity, and social class. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted.


RESULTS
Both men and women were quite satisfied with their sexual life, their first sexual intercourse, and their sexual relationships during the previous year. Most participants had practiced safe sex both at first intercourse and during the previous year. Levels of sexual abuse were similar to those in other developed countries. People of disadvantaged socioeconomic position have less satisfying, more unsafe, and more abusive sexual relationships. Women experienced more sexual abuse and had less satisfaction at their first intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
The state of sexual health in Spain is relatively good. However, we observed inequalities according to gender and socioeconomic position.
CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain; Health Information Systems Service, Barcelona Public Health Agency, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: lolaruiz.aspb@gmail.com.
Dolores
D
Ruiz-Muñoz
Kaye
K
Wellings
Esther
E
Castellanos-Torres
Carlos
C
Álvarez-Dardet
Mariona
M
Casals-Cases
Gloria
G
Pérez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology*; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011159:Population Surveillance; D060728:Reproductive Health; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
Contraception; Health; Safe sex; Satisfaction; Sex offenses; Sexuality