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Teenagers' and young adults' sexual behaviour and its associations with exposure to violence, among visitors at a Youth Centre in Sweden
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8736-3407
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5200-1740
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3790-1393
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Health and Caring Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1944-773X
2022 (English)In: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, ISSN 1877-5756, E-ISSN 1877-5764, Vol. 34, article id 100781Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

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.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2022. Vol. 34, article id 100781
Keywords [en]
Sexual and reproductive health and rights, Sexual behaviour, Sweden, Violence, Youth, Youth Centre
National Category
Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
Research subject
Health and Caring Sciences, Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-119862DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2022.100781ISI: 001072294300001PubMedID: 36156382Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85138519406OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-119862DiVA, id: diva2:1744448
Available from: 2023-03-20 Created: 2023-03-20 Last updated: 2025-02-20Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Kommer du att döma mig om jag berättar?: ... om ungdomars sexuella beteende och utsatthet för våld
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Kommer du att döma mig om jag berättar?: ... om ungdomars sexuella beteende och utsatthet för våld
2023 (Swedish)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

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.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Växjö: Linnaeus University Press, 2023. p. 90
Series
Linnaeus University Dissertations ; 449
Keywords
Exchange students, health promotion, prevention, sexual behaviour, self-rated health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, young people, youth clinic, violence
National Category
Other Health Sciences
Research subject
Health and Caring Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-119865 (URN)10.15626/LUD.449.2023 (DOI)9789189460928 (ISBN)9789189460935 (ISBN)
Public defence
2023-04-14, Lapis, 10:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Funder
The Crafoord Foundation, 20180572Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention, 5.1-0208/16
Available from: 2023-03-20 Created: 2023-03-20 Last updated: 2025-03-18Bibliographically approved

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Petersson, CarinaSwahnberg, KatarinaPeterson, UllaOscarsson, Marie

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