Is there a need for better sexual education of young men? Sexual behaviour and reproductive health in Swiss university students: a questionnaire-based pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: There is evidence that men’s perception of contraceptive methods and of their effectiveness and health risks have a major impact on couples contraceptive choices. Engaging men in decision making improves reproductive health outcomes. If they are better informed, men can potentially contribute to more effective use of contraception, thus reducing the rate of sexually transmitted infections and abortion. In Central European countries, few data are available on male contraceptive knowledge and behaviour.

Methods: To collect more data we conducted an anonymous survey among young men studying at Zürich University in Switzerland. A questionnaire was distributed to 1500 male students which included a broad range of items addressing sexual behaviour, condom use and knowledge, and attitudes regarding contraceptive methods.

Results: Three hundred and sixty-one questionnaires were eligible for evaluation. Condoms and the combined oral contraceptive pill were the most frequently used methods. However, at last intercourse 15.6% of respondents had not used any method of contraception. Many respondents (37%) had had a one-night stand without protection. Contraceptive methods most regarded as unhealthy for women were the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestin-only methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and emergency contraception. Characteristics considered by young men to be important in determining contraceptive method choice were: efficacy, partner satisfaction and no impact on fertility and libido.

Conclusions: Awareness among male Swiss students about contraceptive methods is high, but in-depth knowledge is limited. Myths were expressed about the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestin-only methods, IUDs and the emergency contraceptive pill. High-risk behaviour occurs frequently. The internet was reported to be the most important source of information about contraception.

Chinese abstract

目标：有证据表明, 男性对避孕方法及其有效性和健康风险的看法会对夫妻选择避孕方式产生重大影响。鼓励男性参与决策可以改善生殖健康结局。如果他们能更好地知晓情况, 男性可能有助于更有效地采用避孕药, 从而降低性传播疾病感染率和堕胎率。在中欧国家, 关于男性避孕知识和行为的数据很少。

方法：我们对瑞士苏黎世大学的年轻男性进行了匿名调查以收集更多数据。调查问卷针对1500名男学生, 问题广泛的涉及性行为、安全套应用和知识, 以及对各种避孕方法的态度。

结果：共有361份问卷可纳入统计。避孕套和复方口服避孕药是受访者最常用的避孕方法。然而, 在最后一次性交中, 有15.6％的受访者没有使用任何避孕措施。许多受访者（37％）曾有过无保护的一夜情。复方口服避孕药、孕激素单药、宫内节育器（IUDs）和紧急避孕最常被认为是对女性不健康的避孕方法。年轻男性认为在选择避孕方法是起重要作用的是：效果、伴侣满意度以及对生育和性欲的影响。

结论：瑞士男性学生对避孕方法的认知度较高, 但知识深度有限。对于复方口服避孕药, 孕激素单药, 宫内节育器和紧急避孕药存在相关误解。高风险行为经常发生。据报道, 互联网是避孕相关知识最重要的来源。

Keywords:

• Emergency contraception
• male contraceptive behaviour
• male sexual education
• myths about contraception
• shared decision making
• STI protection and contraceptive use in casual relationships

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Patrick Grossert for organising distribution of the survey and providing support with data entry. We are grateful to our colleagues from Family Planning NSW in Sydney, Australia, for their input in developing a survey in relation to men, contraception and STIs.

Disclosure statement

No conflicts of interest or dual commitments are declared by SF, RC, BI and MS. GSM-F has served on advisory boards and has received financial support to undertake research studies and speak at conferences from Bayer HealthCare, Merck/MSD, Teva and Exeltis. DB has provided expert advice to Bayer Healthcare and MSD as part of her role but has never received personal remuneration for these services; DB has been supported to attend conferences by Bayer Healthcare and MSD.

Additional information

Funding

The study was partly funded by a grant from the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health.