Sexual behaviours and contraception among university students in Turkey

Aras Ş., Orcin E., Ozan S., Semin S. S.

JOURNAL OF BIOSOCIAL SCIENCE, vol.39, no.1, pp.121-135, 2007 (SSCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 39 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1017/s0021932006001258
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF BIOSOCIAL SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.121-135
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual attitudes and behaviours of university students. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 550 final-year university students aged 20-25 years in Izmir, Turkey. Male students opposed premarital sexual intercourse for both genders more than female students did. The frequency of sexual intercourse among male students (61.2%) was higher than that among female students (18.3%). The mean age of first sexual intercourse was lower among male than among female respondents. The rate of condom use at first sexual intercourse was 47.4%. The frequency of having two or more past sexual partners and masturbation was higher among males than females. It was found that there were culture-specific and gender-dependent differences in sexual attitudes and behaviours of the university students. These results may help in the planning of education and health policies in Turkey.