Abstract
Introduction
In Mexico, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the fifth-leading reason to seek medical guidance. Among people aged 15–44 years, STDs are ranked among the top 10 causes of general morbidity.
Methods
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a private university in Mexico from December 2019 to January 2020. A total of 519 surveys were completed by medical students aged 18–24 years (mean age, 19.9 years). The questionnaire asked whether students considered that they had adequate knowledge about STDs, age at sexual intercourse onset, sexual behavior, sexual orientation, use of condoms and contraceptives, and reasons for not seeking STD screening.
Results
About one-third (169, 32.7%) reported having insufficient knowledge about STD prevention, 373 students (71.8%) were sexually active; of those, 61.7% (230 students) had never had STD screening, and 116 female students (52.5%) had never had a cervical smear. Most students with an active sexual life (229, 61.4%) reported using condoms for all sexual intercourse.
Conclusions
These findings show that half of the young adult population in Mexico becomes sexually active in their teens. A large percentage considers that they have insufficient knowledge about STDs.
Policy Implications
In Mexico, a large sexually active population does not seek STD screening. Educators should be encouraged to include information about sexual activity in early education courses to ensure healthier sexual outcomes in coming generations.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04417426
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Data Availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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JCIP, RCMA, MLZ, and AOCF conceived the idea for the study. All the authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. YLAM, RCMA, and MLZ prepared the material, and MABP, MPLR, FJWC, AOCF, and RZO assisted with the student recruitment and distribution of the surveys. Data management and analysis were performed by FJBC, JCIP, AOCF, CFO, and AGO. The first draft of the manuscript was written by JCIP, YLAM, FJBC, and AGO. All the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript, and all the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This study was designed not to affect the physical or moral integrity of the participants. This research protocol is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04417426. Written consent was obtained from each research participant before the study, and all the participants were ensured of the protection of their privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity. The authors state that all interventions complied with the ethical standards of the relevant national and institutional committees on human experimentation and were in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of 1975, as revised in Fortaleza, Brazil 2013, and the Mexican Health Guidelines.
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All the participants signed free and informed consent forms online before proceeding with the questionnaire.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Ibarrola-Peña, J.C., Miranda-Ackerman, R.C., Almanza-Mena, Y.L. et al. Sexual Behavior: Challenges for Prevention and Control Among Medical Students in Mexico. Sex Res Soc Policy 19, 751–759 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00591-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00591-w