Sexual and reproductive health risk behaviours: higher education students' perceptions.
Maria José de Oliveira Santos, Manuela Maria da Conceição Ferreira, Elisabete Maria Soares Ferreira
PMID 35920496WHAT IT FOUND
Students said they value condoms but often skip them due to embarrassment buying them, alcohol use, or trust in long-term partners.
They found family conversations difficult and relied on peers for information, highlighting gaps in current health education.
Key findings
01Embarrassment when purchasing condoms was cited as a barrier to use by both genders.
02Students identified alcohol and drug use during nightlife as key factors leading to unsafe sex with occasional partners.
03Peers and friends were described as the primary source of sexual health information, while family discussions were rare.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Social desirability bias is likely due to the sensitive nature of sexual health topics. The study used Pender’s Health Promotion Model, which assumes sexual behavior is planned, potentially overlooking impulsive or emotionally driven behaviors common in young adults. The sample was small (21 students) and from a single university setting, limiting generalizability.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that a specific nursing intervention reduces risk. This study reports perceptions and barriers, not outcomes of a treatment. The findings describe what students said they struggle with, not what actually changed their behavior.