Background: In Sweden, youth sexual health is worse than that of other residents. Youth also report exposure to violence to a greater extent, threatening their health.

Aim: The aim was to investigate youth’s sexual behaviour, their exposure to violence and self-rated health and its potential relationship, and explore whether youth exposed to violence disclose this.

Method: Cross-sectional studies include data from a web survey among exchange students and youth visiting a youth centre (I–III). Besides background questions, online questionnaires contained validated questions and instruments covering sexual behaviour, exposure to violence, and mental health. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. A qualitative study was conducted where abused youth were interviewed, and the data were analysed with content analysis (IV).

Results: Most outgoing exchange students rated their health highly, and over half had received information regarding HIV/sexually transmitted infection or safer sex before their trip (I). Eight out of ten exchange students reported at least one sexual risk behaviour. Among youth visiting the youth centre, a greater proportion of teenagers reported sexual debut before age 15 compared with young adults (II). A greater proportion of young adults indicated having had a sexually transmitted infection compared with teenagers (II). Associations were shown between several sexual risk behaviours and exposure to violence, while no difference was shown between the age groups regarding the occurrence of violence (II). Nine out of ten youth rated their health as high, but four out of ten reported being exposed to violence in their lifetime (III). A larger proportion of those exposed to violence reported low self-rated health compared with those not exposed to violence (III). All the youth interviewed expressed that being exposed to violence resulted in losing their security; they described the importance of being questioned about violence, and most of them wanted to disclose having been exposed to violence (IV).

Conclusion: A high incidence of sexual risk behaviour and exposure to violence and the relationship between these experiences was demonstrated in youth. Midwives need to ask sensitive questions to identify youth who risk their health and offer advice or support. How questions are posed can determine whether youth disclose exposure to violence.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate differences between teenagers and young adults in sexual behaviours and exposure to emotional, physical and/or sexual violence, and the associations between sexual behaviours and exposure to violence, among youths who visit a Youth Centre in Sweden.

METHODS: A cross-sectional web survey was used among sexually experienced teenagers, aged 15-19, and young adults 20-24 years, wherein a total of 452 participated. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were used in the study.

RESULTS: A majority had unprotected sex during the last year, namely 55.4 % of teenagers and 58.3 % of young adults. A higher proportion of teenagers reported having early sex debut, before 15 years age, compared with young adults (p = .003). A higher proportion of young adults reported having experienced a sexually transmitted infection (p = <.001). Nearly half of the teenagers (44.9 %) and the young adults (44.6 %) stated having been exposed to emotional, physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime. Associations were found between all types of exposure to violence and having unprotected sex, using alcohol or drugs together with sex, and having had three or more different sex partners during last year.

CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of age, there was a high proportion of youths, visiting a Youth Centre, having unprotected sex and who experienced exposure to violence. As these experiences may negatively affect youths' future sexual and reproductive health, healthcare professionals should identify youths in need or with early-in-life needs.

Background: Being exposed to violence is a global health problem, increasing the risk of suffering from ill health. The main aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual violence victimisation and its association to self-rated health among youths. The second aim was to investigate whether the youths had disclosed to healthcare professionals at a Youth Centre or others about being exposed. Methods: The cross-sectional study includes data from a web survey of youths, aged 15–25 (n=500), collected in Sweden. Descriptive statistics and univariate analyses were used for the analyses. Results: In all, emotional, physical or sexual violence during their lifetime was reported by 43.2% and 22.8% of youths during the last year. In total, 88% of the respondents assessed their self-rated health as good, very good or excellent. Those who had been exposed to emotional, physical or sexual violence during their lifetime reported statistically significant lower self-rated health (fair and poor) than those who were not victimised. When healthcare professionals at the Youth Centre asked youths about exposure during their lifetime, one-fifth disclosed having been exposed. Conclusions: Youths who reported any type of violence during their lifetime showed lower self-rated health compared to those who were not exposed. Youth Centres have an important role in identifying youths who are exposed to violence and/or self-report their health as low. Still, only a minority of youths who have been exposed to violence told health professionals at a Youth Centre about it when asked. It is necessary to further investigate how the issues can be best addressed.

Aim: The objective was to describe the exchange students’ health and sexual behaviour associated with their exchange studies, and examine the extent to which they had received preventive efforts against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) and safer sex before departure. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a web survey with questions about sexual behaviour, self-esteem and psychological well-being. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics. 

Results: A total of 136 outgoing exchange students from a Swedish University participated. Most of the exchange students rated their health as good, had psychological well-being and rated their self-esteem as being high. Approximately half of the exchange students had sex with a new partner during the exchange semester, and 87% of them had sexually risky behaviour. More than half (61%) of the exchange students had received preventive efforts before departure. No statistically significant difference regarding preventive information was found between those who reported sexually risky behaviour and those who did not. The group that had sexually risky behaviour desired free condoms and access to clinics for sexual health. 

Conclusions: Exchange students rated their health as good, and the majority of them participated in information sessions that addressed preventive efforts on HIV/STI and safer sex before departure. Sexually risky behaviour during exchange studies was reported and highlights the need for more effective preventive measures; for example, a recollection of reading STI information.