Understand Sexual Risk Behaviours in Young Adults and Challenges in their Education

Abstract

Sexual risk behaviours are considered sexual conducts that can cause biological, psychological and social damage. Therefore, sexuality education is considered the only effective way to avoid it. This project aims to understand sexual risk behaviour factors and their consequences in young adults and to explore strategies they would use to face them. To answer these questions, we conducted a qualitative study in which we interviewed 11 young adults using an asynchronous mail technique due to the Covid19 pandemic. We also carried out a thematic analysis and developed our key results: 1) Sexual attitudes and behaviours; 2) Sexual risk factors, 3) Sexual risk consequences; and 4) Educational approach and strategies. Similarities in the themes were verified with previous literature, exposing the importance of learning to identify factors and consequences to respond appropriately. Participants believe that comprehensive and egalitarian sexuality education applied at individual and community level is a solid method that can improve sexual health and well-being. To conclude, this study reveals the importance of listening to young adults’ perspectives towards these conduct variables and educational approaches in order to establish global health strategies that could be based on these results.

Las conductas de riesgo sexual se consideran conductas sexuales que pueden causar daños biológicos, psicológicos y sociales. Por lo tanto, la educación sexual se considera la única forma efectiva de evitarla. El objetivo de este estudio cualitativo es comprender los factores de las conductas sexuales de riesgo y sus consecuencias en los adultos jóvenes y explorar las estrategias que utilizan para enfrentarlos. Se entrevista a 11 adultos jóvenes utilizando la técnica de correo asincrónico debido a la pandemia de la Covid19. Se desarrollan los resultados clave a través de un análisis temático: 1) Actitudes y comportamientos sexuales; 2) Factores de riesgo sexual; 3) Consecuencias de riesgo sexual; y 4) Enfoque y estrategias educativas. Las similitudes de los temas se verificaron con la literatura previa, exponiendo la importancia de aprender a identificar factores y consecuencias para responder adecuadamente. Los participantes creen que la educación sexual integral e igualitaria aplicada a nivel individual y comunitario es un método sólido que puede mejorar la salud y el bienestar sexual. Este estudio revela la importancia de escuchar las perspectivas de los adultos jóvenes sobre estas variables de conducta y enfoques educativos para establecer estrategias globales de salud que podrían basarse en estos resultados.