Self-reported sexually transmitted infections among female university students.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the occurrence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated factors among female university students requesting contraceptive counselling.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Female university students (n = 353) completed a waiting-room questionnaire in connection with contraceptive counselling at a Student Health Centre in Uppsala, Sweden.


RESULTS
Ninety-three (26.3%) female students had experienced an STI. The three most frequently reported STIs were chlamydia trachomatis, condyloma, and genital herpes. The experience of an STI was significantly associated with the total number of sexual partners (OR 1.060, 95% CI 1.030-1.091, P < 0.001), being heterosexual (OR 4.640, 95% CI 1.321-16.290, P = 0.017), having experienced an abortion (OR 2.744, 95% CI 1.112-6.771, P = 0.028), not being HPV-vaccinated (OR 2.696, 95% CI 1.473-4.935, P = 0.001), and having had intercourse on first night without using a condom (OR 2.375, 95% CI 1.182-4.771, P = 0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
Contraceptive counselling should also include information about primary and secondary prevention of STI, such as the importance of correct use of a condom and STI testing, to prevent a further spread of STIs.
a Department of Surgical Sciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.|b Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Ylva
Y
Tiblom Ehrsson
b Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Christina
C
Stenhammar
c Centre for Clinical Research Västerås, Uppsala University, Västmanland County Hospital Västerås , Sweden.
Andreas
A
Rosenblad
d Department of Women's and Children's Health , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Helena
H
Åkerud
d Department of Women's and Children's Health , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Margareta
M
Larsson
b Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.
Tanja
T
Tydén
D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D057566:Self Report; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities
Condom use; contraception; female sexuality; human papillomavirus; screening; sexually transmitted diseases; women’s health; young adult women