It won’t happen: College students’ perception of sexual practices and vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Objective: to identify the sexual practices of young university students in their affective relationships and to analyze how they perceive their vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections. Method: this qualitative, descriptive study was carried out in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, with 30 university students of both sexes, aged 18-29 years, who participated in focal groups. Discourse data were analyzed using the NVivo 9 software and content analysis technique. The ethics of research procedures involving human beings were respected. Results: two categories emerged in the analysis: present-day sexual practices of university students; young people and perception of vulnerability to STIs. Young people experience sexuality freely as regards gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, and establish a plurality of relationships and partners. Students recognize themselves to be a vulnerable group. Conclusion: university students’ sexual conduct leaves them vulnerable to health problems, such as sexually transmitted infections.