Introduction

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease with highly mortality caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are as yet no effective medicines to cure HIV infection worldwide. Instead, intervention for HIV infection is designed as the most effective means of preventing the spread of the HIV epidemic. Currently, the HIV epidemic has become a pervasive public health concern. Statistics from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show an estimated 38 (31.6–44.5) million people living with HIV (PLWH) and 1.7 million newly HIV infections in 2019 [1]; National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China reported an estimated 0.96 million infections at the end of 2019 [2]. When compared to other countries, the overall HIV epidemic in China is generally at a low level, while the HIV epidemic in specific populations shows a higher level with the feature of sexual transmission as the main mode of transmission [3]. HIV can be widely transmitted through unprotected sex, which includes unprotected anal intercourse (UAI), unprotected vaginal intercourse (UVI) and multiple sexual partnerships [4]. The specific sexual practices of the gay community make them the most susceptible to HIV infection. National surveillance data showed that about 8 out of every 100 men who have sex with men (MSM) were at high risk of becoming infected with HIV [5]. From 2011 to 2015, the number of university students in China who contracted HIV jumped by 35% annually [6].

Although only 4% of male university students in China had sex with men [7, 8], data showed that the rate of HIV infection among male university students who had sex with other men raised from 58.5% in 2008 to 82% in 2014 [9]. In addition, the prevalence of other sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) among the population at high risk has become a general concern. Sentinel surveillance data from 2010 to 2015 in China indicated that rates of syphilis infection remained high among male attendees at the STD clinic and among MSM [10]. Syphilis was significantly related to HIV infection in most research on MSM [11, 12]. Nevertheless, the at-risk population, including MSM or men who had sex with women and men (MSWM), may contribute to the spread of HIV infection among the general population [13, 14].

Many factors are associated with the occurrence of risk sexual behaviours, which in turn contribute to the HIV/STDs epidemic among university students. With the mutual convergence of western liberalism and traditional Chinese culture, changes in sexual attitude [15], the lack of parental monitoring and reduced academic pressure [16], most Chinese university students who should be sexually active at early adolescence initiated their first sexual act during the college life [16, 17]. In 2017, however, a self-administered questionnaire survey from 15 provinces in China found that 24.2% of university students had engaged in sexual activity under the age of 18 [18]. When compared to document issued that the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among young students will reach over 95% [19], the knowledge of HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is limited or insufficient, especially at-risk groups vulnerable to HIV/STDs infection, engaging in high-risk sexual behaviours [8, 20, 21]. However, a prior study indicated that a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge may access high-risk sexual intercourse [22], including inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners during the last 6 months and having sex with the same sex [23, 24]. Many studies indicated that university students who reported being homosexual or bisexual were associated with their high-risk sexual intercourse and related factors may be related to the access to social media such as apps searching for sexual partners [25,26,27].

The government, together with the Ministry of Education and other departments, has made efforts to control the development of the HIV epidemic in China [28]. But implementing HIV prevention services for university students has hardly any effect. For instance, only 7.3% of male participants had HIV testing, according to a study conducted in 2019 [22]. In 2018, a study of 222 universities across China showed that about 63% of university students were willing to take an HIV testing [29]. This may due to anonymous HIV testing services not available on a large scale in major universities in all regions of China, except for pilot service work conducted over 40 universities in 2018 [30].

In the age of the information explosion, university students sensitive to sex-related messages have witnessed a change in sexual attitudes that has led to a change in sexual behaviours. Henan Province, located in central China, has more than 50,000 PLWH diagnosed in 2018 [3]. The number of reported HIV cases among young students aged 15–24 years has risen from 65.8% in 2004 to 81.4% in 2019, with all routes of infection dominated by same-sex transmission [31]. Many articles studied on sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, sexual behaviours and the status of the HIV epidemic among young students in Henan have been published, but there are few articles conducted on factors associated with risk sexual behaviours. So, this study, based on data collected from one university in Henan, aims to: (a) describe demographic characteristics, awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, utilization of HIV prevention services among university students and; (b) identify associated factors among university students including condom use, the number of sexual partner and; (c) explore how to measure promising approaches to better preventing risk sexual behaviours among young students.

Material and methods

Participants and samples

The study is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in November 2020. Approximately 17,678 male and female university students in one comprehensive university in Henan Province were purposefully sampled to ensure an adequate representation of students from freshmen to senior. With the permission and help of the Student Union of the departments, the study participants were recruited to complete an online questionnaire by scanning the WeChat (a Chinese cross-platform communication tool for sending voice, pictures, video and text over the mobile network) QR code. To study the factors associated with risk sexual behaviors among university students, the remaining 1602 samples who reported having ever had sexual intercourse met the study’s eligibility criteria. All the study participants were informed of the purpose of this study.

Study variables and measurements

Data were collected through an online, anonymous, structured questionnaire, which is adapted from the “Chinese AIDS Sentinel Testing Implementation Plan”. The questionnaire consists of three indicators, involving demographic characteristics of the study participants, information on HIV/AIDS and practices of sexual behaviours. The participants were required to complete basic personal information regarding gender, grade, ethnicity, marital status, monthly income and sexual orientation. Information on HIV/AIDS included HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, HIV prevention services and self-perceived risk of HIV infection. HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was measured by 9 items with the answers “True, False, and Do not know”, as stratified by male and female students. For each item, the participants scored one point when they answered the item correctly or zero points if they answered the item incorrectly (including the “Do not know” answer). The total score of the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 9, with six and above indicating having sufficient HIV/AIDS knowledge; otherwise, score less than six meaning having insufficient HIV/AIDS-related knowledge. Practices of sexual behaviours referred to risk sexual behaviours, including consistent or inconsistent condom use, having single or multiple sexual partners. As the independent variables, demographic characteristics, level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, self-perceived risk of HIV infection and age of first sexual debut were included in the regression model.

Data collection

Data were collected online via the Chinese professional survey website Wenjuanxing between 1 and 30 November 2020. All potential participants scanned the WeChat QR code to fill in the questionnaire and to successfully submit it when all the items were completed. Students were allowed to spare their leisure time completing the questionnaire anonymously, with a time limit of 30 min. Once the questionnaire had been submitted, the participants would be entered in a random draw as an reward.

Statistical methods

Absolute number and percentage were descriptively applied for categorical variables, with mean and standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables. Comparisons of demographic variables, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, utilization of HIV prevention services between the groups (male students vs female students) were performed using the Chi-square test. T-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to identify differences in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge scores between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate factors significantly associated with youth sexual behaviours, including demographics, level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, perception of risk of HIV/STDs infection, utilization of HIV prevention programs. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Statistical significance was accepted at the P values < 0.05 level.

Results

Demographic characteristics

The largest proportion of university students who ever had had sexual intercourse was sophomores at 33.4% (535/1602), while the lowest was at 17% (284/1602). The proportion of university students having sex progressively rose from freshmen to senior. Sexually active male and female students accounted for about 11% and 4% of the survey sample, respectively. The overwhelming majority of sexually active students were the Han (1449/1602), unmarried (1539/1602). Ethnic minorities were more sexually active than the Han. 42% of university students who lived on more than 3000 Yuan were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse. Around 60% (962/1602) of sexually active students lived with between 1000 Yuan and 2000 Yuan per month. Over 90% (1461/1602) of sexually active students were sufficiently knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. University students who had HIV testing and received HIV prevention services were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse, compared to those who never had HIV testing and utilize HIV prevention services (Table 1).

Table 1 Comparison of characteristics of sexually active students among the sample of the respondents (N = 17,678)
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HIV/AIDS-related knowledge

In total, nine items assessing the level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge for participants are presented in Table 2. Only 64% of male participants were aware that HIV prevalence is increasing among adolescents, with sexual transmission among MSM being the primary mode of transmission. Over 90% of participants believed they should seek HIV testing and counselling after high-risk behaviours (needle sharing, unsafe sex, etc.). Moreover, there is a significant difference between male and female participants in the fact that consistent use of condoms may reduce HIV infection and sexual transmission.

Table 2 Awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among male and female students (n = 1602)
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The average score of knowledge about HIV/AIDS out of 9 was 7.43 ± 1.63. 527 (32.9%) participants answered all 9 items correctly. Compared to other groups, the lower HIV/AIDS-related knowledge score was significantly performed in female students (7.14 ± 2.26), ethnic minority (6.96 ± 2.30), married (4.89 ± 3.04), those who lived on over 3000 Yuan per month (6.23 ± 2.81), those who reported bisexual (6.28 ± 2.69), respectively (Table 3).

Table 3 Comparisons of demographics variables associated with level of HIV-related knowledge among the study participants (n = 1602)
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Source of HIV prevention services

The top three ways of acquiring HIV/AIDS-related Knowledge for the participants were rated as broadcasting, the internet and books and newspapers (77.5, 76.7, and 70.2%, respectively); about 43% of female participants considered health education sessions as an additional way to access HIV/AIDS-related knowledge. Less than 60% of participants reported that they had received HIV prevention services; even more, only 15% had tested for HIV (Table 4).

Table 4 Utilization of HIV prevention services among the study participants (n = 1602)
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Risk sexual behaviours and factors correlated

Of 1602 university students who reported ever having had sexual intercourse, having multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use and both in the past 6 months were 37.3, 35, 20%, respectively. More than half of participants had their sex before the age of 18; 48% of them reported no use of condom during their sexuality; 52.5% of them reported having multiple sexual partners. Of the 47 male students who reported being homosexual, 66% had sex with two or more sexual partners. Of the 106 male students who reported being bisexual, 95% had multiple sexual partners with the same sex or opposite sex and 75.7% reported no condom use in the past 6 months. Table 5 shows the link between demographics and risk sexual behaviours among the respondents. Consistent condom use over the last 6 months was higher in the superior grades (junior and senior) compared to the lower grades (freshmen and sophomore). Over 80% of students who lived on over 3000 Yuan per month had multiple sexual partners and about 70% inconsistent condom use. About 65% of students who reported being homosexual had multiple sexual relationship and approximately 77% of students who reported being bisexual did not consistently use condoms. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

Table 5 Comparisons of demographics variables associated with risk sexual behaviours among the study participants
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The model I ‘the number of sexual partner (single = 0; multiple = 1)’, the model II ‘whether or not consistent condom use during the past six months (No = 0; Yes = 1)’, independent variable (including demographic characteristics, level of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, self-perceived risk of HIV infection and age of first sexual intercourse) were performed for multivariable logistic regression analysis. The results of the analysis were presented in Table 6. Participants who had two or more sexual partners were high-grade students (AOR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.12, 2.18 for sophomore; AOR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.28, 2.65 for junior; AOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.38, 3.11 for senior), those who lived on over 3000 Yuan per month (AOR = 4.19; 95% CI 2.17, 8.11), reported being homosexual (AOR = 3.92; 95% CI 2.17, 7.06) and bisexual (AOR = 33.22; 95% CI 13.11, 84.15). Sufficient HIV/AIDS-related knowledge (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.16, 3.19), Self-perceived risk of HIV infection (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.47, 3.27), age at first sexual intercourse (AFSI) over 18-year-old (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.88, 3.24) were positively associated with consistent condom use during the last 6 months. Participants were likely not to use condoms consistently if they reported being bisexual (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.16, 0.44), with a monthly income of over 3000 Yuan (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.28, 0.91). Statistical significance was set at P = 0.05.

Table 6 Multiple logistic regression analysis predicting factors associated with risk sexual behaviours among the study participants
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Discussion

AIDS is now the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally [32]. The trend of the HIV epidemic among young students is growing significantly and university students, as pillars of our nation, are the heart of HIV prevention and care. We found that of the participants surveyed, around 9% had ever had sex (11% for male students and 4% for female students, respectively). This was in line with another study conducted in 2017, Henan Province [33], but much lower than a study indicating that 18.7% reported having ever had sexual intercourse [8]. Due to privacy or sensitive issues related to this survey, the outcome of the study is slightly less than the actual outcome. Participants who reported having ever had sexual intercourse, risk sexual behaviours, are more vulnerable to HIV infection and are likely to come into contact with the general population, such as heterosexual female students. Inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partners are recognized common types of risk sexual behaviours. Early AFSI, sufficient HIV/STDs-related knowledge, sexual orientation reported non-heterosexual, students with high standard living, high self-perceived risk of HIV infection were identified by associated factors, affecting condom use and sexual partners among university students.

Xu’s study indicated that knowledge of HIV/AIDS was not effective in changing people's behaviour, with no significant positive correlation between adequate HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and safe sex [22]. In our study, however, students with sufficient HIV/AIDS-related knowledge were more likely to adhere to condom use during the last 6 months. Although most students knew that condom use could reduce the risk of HIV/STDs infection, having more easily access to sexual contents online tend to engage in risk sexual behaviours [34]. A significant correlation between awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and sexual partner was not found. But the risk of HIV infection should be addressed by those with a low level of knowledge. We also found that 45% of participants thought HIV is far from their lives (21% of 47 gay university students) and nearly half of 47 MSM students did not know the male-to-male transmission is the main mode of transmission of HIV infection among adolescents. These indicated that education on HIV prevention and control, involving sex and reproductive health (SRH), is urgent. Sex education is an important entry for HIV prevention and control [35] and strengthens the breadth of knowledge, especially in precautions on HIV/STDs and attitudes about homosexuality and HIV infection [30], to reduce the risk of sexual behaviour and other sexually transmitted infections. In addition, we should develop new media platforms such as websites and apps that can attract the attention of young students and use these resources to guide them well.

Sexual orientation, an important factor, has a significant impact on sexual behaviours among young students [36]. Non-heterosexual university students preferred to engage in risk sexual behaviours. Compared to homosexuals, bisexuals were less likely to use condoms and have multiple sexual partners, a finding identified in another study [37]. Meanwhile, non-heterosexuals still suffer from strong social pressures such as discrimination, even though social acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is slowly increasing in China [38]. This may result in the expansion of the HIV epidemic among women as a whole. On one hand, some male students reported being bisexual concealed their sexual identity, even dating female students and having sex with them. Furthermore, once graduated from university and moved into society, they may be compelled to marry straight women under the pressure of family and parents, social environment [39], which expanded a more HIV epidemic. On the other hand, discrimination and stigma from peer and society make HIV testing challenging. Only 15% had been tested for HIV in our study, which was identified with the result reported by another study [40]. As of 2018, about 30% of PLWH in China were not detected [41]. Many MSM are not aware of their ability to contract with their sexual partners, which increases the risk of HIV transmission. These challenges must be responded and addressed through aggressive actions.

We also found that over half of students ever having sex reported having had sexual contact before the age of 18, which much higher than that of other results [8, 17]. This indicates an increasing trend for young students to have their sexual debut at an earlier age, which is in line with Zou’s study [42]. Moreover, they are more likely to engage in risk sexual behaviours. This may be due to the lack of sexual knowledge on sex and reproductive health (including HIV/AIDS-related knowledge) they have prior to their sexual debut. Although sex education has been introduced into the secondary school curriculum since 1988, only a small number of schools (nearly half of the universities) offered it to students [30]. In the current crisis where the HIV epidemic among young students continues to grow, scaling up sex education is an important intervention [43]. Only the top third of students in China are eligible to attend university [30], and for the remaining young people who do not attend university, there are real challenges in targeting this group with sex education.

In line with another study [44], university students with high living costs, especially over 3000 Yuan per month, prefer to less condom use and engage in having sex with multiple sexual partners. This may be related to the family environment in which they grow up. In China, students living on more than 3000 Yuan tend to come from relatively wealthy families. Yan’s study has yielded the result that female students who reported having had sex were more likely to be from richer families [45]. However, there is limited literature on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between family socioeconomic status and sexual behaviour of children. It is noteworthy that family education and the role of parents are as important as school education in the development of adolescents, guiding and helping in a correct view of sexuality and marriage. In an era of rapid economic development in contemporary China, parents of high-income families may spend most of their energy on work, with little regard for the education and supervision of their children, especially when children are in their rebellious teenage years. An early study has documented that adolescents lacking parental monitoring were more likely to engage in risk sexual behaviours [46]. Briefly, communication between mothers and daughters help in safe sex among female students with low levels of HIV/STDs-related knowledge compared to male students [47]. Thus, initiation efforts to sex education should focus on students with a high standard of living and consumption, including their parents.

Various limitations in this study must be highlighted. Firstly, uneven distribution of the study participants by gender and grade may affect the reliability of the comparison results. Secondly, as the nature of the cross-sectional survey and the privacy and sensitivity of the questionnaire, information gathered from the questionnaires answered by the study participants may be subject to information bias. Besides, students from one university in Henan Province was selected to participate in the study. In the future study, a cross-sectional survey consisting of several universities and schools in Henan should be conducted to further identify factors associated with risk sexual behaviours among sexually active young students.

Conclusions

Our study described the demographic characteristics of university students in Henan who reported having ever had sex, including their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and utilization of HIV prevention services, identified factors associated with their risk sexual behaviours, and specified high-risk groups at risk of HIV/STDs infection. Inconsistent condom use during the last 6 months as well as having multiple sexual partners as commonly risk sexual behaviours are frequent among university students, especially gay male students, bisexual male students. Non-heterosexual university students become key to the HIV epidemic among the university population. There are currently many shortcomings in HIV prevention work in schools that need to be reinforced. Targeted services for key populations among university students should be widely implemented in universities and other technical schools, secondary schools, including educating parents about the sexual behaviour of their children.