Sexually Transmitted Infections and Emergency Contraception in University Students in Majorca, Spain

Abstract

[eng] The aim is to analyze emergency contraception (EC) use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among university students (UE). It is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the University of Balearic Islands. Female and male UE were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The dependent variable was the presence of an STI. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, drug use, sexual behavior and use of EC. We recruited 1588 students. The median age was 20; 807 (67%) were women; and 51 UE reported an STI in the last 12 months (3.9%, 95%CI, 2.9-4.4): chlamydia (13.7%), genital herpes (13.7%) and candidiasis (54.9%). The variables associated with STIs were taking oral contraceptives (OR=0.37, 95%CI, 0.19-0.74), first sexual experience before the age of 16 (OR=1.94, 95%CI, 1.08-3.50), having had 3-5 sexual partners (OR=2.27, 95%CI, 1.04-4.90), 6-9 (OR=2.79, 95%CI, 1.56-9.22) or ≥10 (OR=4.59, 95%CI, 1.98-10.68), and irregular use of condoms OR=3.62, 95%CI, 1.53-8.57). In the adjusted model, having an STI in the previous 12 months was related to age (OR=0.87, 95%CI, 0.79-0.96), female sex (OR=7.02, 95%CI, 2.52-19.53), irregular condom use (OR=4.60 95%CI, 0.10-0.51), having 3-5 (OR=2.47, 95%CI, 1.04-5.85)¸ 6-9 (OR=3.98, 95%CI, 1.45-10.89), or ≥10 (OR=5.77, 95%CI, 1.99-16.67) sexual partners, and illegal drug use (OR=2.25, 95%CI,1.05-4.79). EC use and oral contraception exerted a protective effect against STIs. EC users had less risk of acquiring an STI, and EC use in our study seemed to have a protective effect against STIs. Our findings suggest that UE may engage in less risky sexual health behaviors than their non-university peers and that there may be a tendency towards overprotection in this setting.