RT info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
T1 Conductas sexuales de riesgo, orientación sexual y consumo de drogas en los estudiantes de primer curso de grado universitario. Proyecto unicHos
A1 Redondo Martín, Susana
A2 Universidad de Valladolid. Escuela de Doctorado
K1 Medicina social
K1 Drugs
K1 Drogas
K1 Risk behaviors
K1 Conductas sexuales de riesgo
K1 University students
K1 Estudiantes universitarios
K1 Sexual orientation
K1 Orientación sexual
K1 32 Ciencias Médicas
AB The transition to university represents a critical developmental period for students’ cognitive, personal, and social maturation. This stage is often associated with stress and the adoption of risk behaviors. The literature identifies non-heteronormative populations as being at greater risk.This observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study aims to assess sexual behaviors—particularly those considered risky—as well as the consumption of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs among first-year university students. Data were collected over six academic years using the online questionnaire from the unicHos Project. Eleven public universities from seven Spanish autonomous communities participated. Analyses were stratified by gender and considered sexual orientation. Statistical tests included Student’s t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and likelihood ratio tests, depending on variable type. Logistic regression was conducted to examine predictors of risky sexual behaviors and their consequences, including non-use of condoms, use of emergency contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).The sample comprised 7,125 women and 2,737 men, with a predominance of students from social sciences, law, and health-related fields. Among participants, 87.3% of women and 83.5% of men identified as heterosexual; 9% of men and 2.2% of women as homosexual; and 9% of women and 6.1% of men as bisexual. Non-heteronormative categories were underrepresented compared to other studies, except for “other orientations” (1.2%). The proportion of bisexual women increased over the study period.Approximately 11% of students reported engaging in sexual activity before age 15 (19.9% among bisexuals and 15.2% among homosexuals). Overall, 74.5% had experienced penetrative sex at least once, with higher rates among bisexual women and homosexual men. Men reported a higher number of sexual partners in the past year (2.38 vs. 1.84), particularly among homosexual men and bisexual women.Unprotected sex was reported by 78.3% of women and 75.2% of men. Identified risk factors included being over 21 years old, having a stable partner, and engaging in sexual activity more than once per week. Among women, additional risk factors included combining study with employment, early sexual debut, and cannabis use. Alcohol consumption was not identified as a risk factor.The lifetime prevalence of STIs was 8.3% among women and 5.4% among men (mainly mycoses and chlamydia), higher than in previous studies. Risk factors included being over 21, having more than three sexual partners per year, sexual orientation (homosexual men and bisexual women), and problematic alcohol use. Among men, use of illegal drugs other than cannabis was a risk factor; among women, early sexual debut and frequent sexual activity were significant.Alcohol use in the past month, episodes of drunkenness in the past year, binge drinking, and risky consumption were all higher than in the general population of the same age group (78.2%, 60.9%, 49%, and 30.8%, respectively). Binge drinking rates were similar between genders, but men reported higher rates of recent use and drunkenness, while women showed higher rates of risky consumption. Bisexual women exhibited the highest rates of binge and risky drinking. Cannabis use exceeded that of the general population and was more prevalent among men (ever use: 51.3%; past 30 days: 19%). Illegal drug use was higher among homosexual and bisexual participants.These findings highlight the need for further research in this area and the implementation of evidence-based health promotion interventions at universities. Recommended actions include creating safe and healthy environments, offering workshops to correct misinformation and build skills, and providing early detection services through counseling, with particular attention to non-heteronormative populations via brief interventions and/or referral to specialized resources.
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78860
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78860
LA spa
NO Escuela de Doctorado
DS UVaDOC
RD 22-oct-2025