Abstract #238  -  Sexual attitudes and behaviour of university students at a SA university: A Pilot survey
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Dr. Gudrun Anita Heeren - University of Pennsylvania
Additional Authors:  Prof  John B Jemmott, Mr Andrew Mandeya, Prof  Joanne C Tyler,
Aim: A health promotion programme was planned for university students at a South African University. In preparation of the main trial we conducted a pilot survey. We discussed the Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview “ACASI” method and the practicality of the use of computers for data collection. Does attitude and behaviour differ by gender and nationality? How will an intervention study be perceived?
Method / Issue: The survey was taken by 73 students. The age group was between 18 and 30 years. We examined whether attitudes and behaviour, as well as condom use differ with gender and nationality. Half were female and half South African and Non South African.
Results / Comments: We are presenting the results of the pilot survey here. The mean age at first sexual encounter did not differ by genders (t=-1.03, p=0.3034) and nationalities (t=-0.05, p=0.9611). On average, males’ partners were significantly younger than those for the females and males seem to have more sexual partners than females, regardless of nationality. The participants felt that their having sex within the next three months would be approved by their friends and family. Such approval was significantly higher for South Africans with an approval score of 4.8 compared to 4.3 for non-South Africans. There is uncertainty over the benefits of abstinence among males (mean = 2.99) while females (mean = 3.8) seem to agree that it is beneficial to abstain. Females seem more likely to abstain until they find a partner with whom they intend to settle. The same can be said about perceptions on the negative effects of sexual intercourse while at university on an individual’s future prospects. There was a strong agreement that unprotected sex can lead to pregnancy and STIs with an average score of 4.7 and this was found to be higher among South Africans (t=3.15, p=0.0024). The participants were not sure if condom use had any negative effects, although surprisingly females agree more than males, that condoms affect the pleasure of sexual intercourse (t=-3.48, p=0.0009). Condoms were reported to be easily available and accessible to students and they generally agreed that these are very useful for purposes of the prevention of both pregnancy and STIs. This study also showed that students find it easy to discuss condom use with their partners and that females have more self control than their male counterparts when it comes to pausing in the sex act for the purposes of using a condom.
Discussion: The students showed keen interest in the study and found the ACASI method very convenient and pledged their willingness to participate in the main study. Based on these results, a health promotion intervention programme aimed at young adults who attend a university, is very much needed. This programme has to be designed in such a way that it will improve the quality of both sexual and health knowledge among university students. It needs to consider their social and economic background and their cultural understanding and as well as plans for their future.
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