Gender, sexual experiences and sexual behavioural differences in Turkish university students

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine sexual experiences and gender differences in sexual behaviour in university students. In this cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted between 1st February and 12th November 2017. A total of 491 volunteer students were selected at a state university in the Mediterranean region of Turkey using a systematic sampling method. Questionnaires were distributed to the students in sealed envelopes and collected on completion. The data were collected using a socio-demographic form and a sexual experiences and sexual health behaviours form. A total of 414 students (78 males; 336 females) were included in this study. The prevalence of sexual intercourse among these was 4.3%, and total oral and anal sex experiences were 35% and 16.7%, respectively. A significantly higher number of female students of those who reported having sexual intercourse (n = 9; 50.0%), oral sex (n = 81; 55.9%) and anal sex (n = 60; 87.0%), also reported not telling anyone about his/her partner (77.2%), not talking about sex (82.4%) and not buying contraceptive products, even when necessary (78.3%). Hidden sexuality was seen to affect female students more often and this may lead to risky sexual behaviours, sexually transmitted diseases, an unhealthy sexual life with multiple partners and even unplanned, unwanted pregnancies. © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press.