Sex-disaggregated sexual behaviors among Chilean university students taking a rapid HIV test

Abstract

Objective: To characterize a university population that willingly took a rapid HIV test by sex. Method: An analytical study with 3,864 university students. Variables: socio-demographic and academic variables, sexual behavior, (self-reported) STI prevalence, and reasons to take the rapid test. Results: 61.4% are women; average age: 21.64 years; age of first sexual intercourse: 17.01 years; casual sexual activity: 36.8%, mostly men (p < 0,001), anal sex: 44.5%; STI prevalence: 7.5%, with gonorrhea and syphilis being more common among men (p < 0.001 and p < 0.032, respectively; positive rapid HIV test: 0.2%; substance use during sex: 50%. 41.1% of the participants, most of them men (p < 0.001), have never asked their partner about their serologic HIV status, and 64.4% does not know if they have had a HIV+ partner, an attitude that is more prevalent among men (p < 0.001). 16.5% has always used prophylactics, mostly women (p < 0.001). 26.21% uses social networks to arrange sexual encounters. Conclusions: Women ask more for the rapid HIV test than men. There are several risky behaviors and gender differences: low use of prophylactics, casual sexual relationships under the influence of substances, unprotected anal and oral sex practices, ignorance of their sexual partner’s serologic status, and the use of social networks for sexual encounters.