Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors among Medical Students in Southeast of Iran

Background and Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexual behaviors and sexting among students of medical science universities in southeast of Iran by indirect method. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using a multistage non-random sampling method, we recruited ۳۹۰۰ students from eight universities of medical sciences from Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, Iran, in ۲۰۱۹. The data were collected using indirect (NSU: Network Scale-up) methods. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: Out of ۳۹۰۰ students (mean (SD) age of ۲۲.۵ (۳.۳) years), ۴۸­% were male and ۴۱% were from Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The prevalence of watching porn, masturbation, sexting (text, photo and video), extramarital heterosexual intercourse by nonpayment, sex in return for payment, homosexuality, child abuse (sexual and behavioral), and abortion was ۲۲.۶% (۹۵% CI: ۲۱.۳ – ۲۴.۰), ۱۹.۵% (۹۵% CI: ۱۸.۲ – ۲۰.۷), ۸.۸% (۹۵% CI: ۷.۹ – ۹.۷), ۱۱.۷% (۹۵% CI: ۱۰.۷ – ۱۲.۷), ۵.۷ (۹۵% CI: ۵.۰ – ۶.۵)%, ۳.۰% (۹۵% CI: ۲.۵ – ۳.۵), ۰.۹% (۹۵% CI: ۰.۶ – ۱.۲) and ۱.۰۱% (۹۵% CI: ۰.۷ – ۱.۳),  respectively.  Conclusion: According to the results, watching porn, masturbation, extramarital heterosexual intercourse by nonpayment and sexting were more common sexual behaviors among university students. Repetition and addiction to these behaviors can harm physical and psychological health of young people especially in Iranian custom, religion and cultural context. Therefore, the youth should be given appropriate training to correctly react to sexual situations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sexual behaviors ، Watching Porn ، Masturbation ، Sexting