Female undergraduate fine arts students: A high-risk population for multiple sexual partners, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in China

ABSTRACT

Objectives To compare risky sexual behaviour and risk factors associated with unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female fine arts undergraduates and students of other disciplines in China.

Method Anonymously completed questionnaires were received from 4769 unmarried female undergraduates, recruited using randomised cluster sampling. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with lifetime number of sex partners, self-reported pregnancy, and STIs.

Results The proportion of students who had ever had sex was higher among female fine arts majors (35%) than among other females (15%). Not using a condom at first sex (87%), multiple lifetime partners (44%), and extramarital lover now or ever in lifetime (9%) were more common in sexually experienced fine arts students. Self-reported pregnancy (23%) and STIs (33%) were also more common in fine arts students. Years spent in school, understanding or approval of multiple sex partners, younger age at first sex and coercive first sex were associated with multiple lifetime partners, which was a risk factor for both unintended pregnancy and STIs.

Conclusions Female fine arts students hold more tolerant attitudes toward sex than other female students. They were more inclined to risky sexual behaviours, and thus more vulnerable to unwanted pregnancy and STIs.

Keywords:

• Reproductive health
• Undergraduate student
• Female
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Attitudes
• China

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.