J. biosoc. Sci. (1978) 10, 277-286

SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND CONTRACEPTIVE PRACTICE OF UNDERGRADUATES AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY P. ANDERSON*, K. McPHERSONf, N. BEECHINGJ, J. WEINBERG* AND M. VESSEYf *The Medical School, University of Oxford, %Radclijfe Infirmary, Oxford and ^Department of Social and Community Medicine, University of Oxford {Received 1st February 1978) Summary. At the end of the 4th week of the Hilary Term 1977, 1006 male and 1009 female undergraduates at Oxford University were sent a questionnaire enquiring about their sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice. Of the 862 women and 634 men who replied, 512 women (59%) and 332 men (52%) had experienced sexual intercourse, 396 women and 191 men in the 4-week period preceding receipt of the questionnaire. No contraception had been used by 27 % of the women on the first occasion that they had had intercourse; during the 4-week period preceding receipt of the questionnaire 10% of sexually active women had had intercourse on one or more occasions without using a contraceptive. The use of contraception increased with the frequency of intercourse and the stability of the relationship. Thirty-one women had been pregnant in the past; none was known to be pregnant at the time of the survey, although sixteen suspected that they might be. Ninety per cent of the students approved of the free distribution of a booklet on contraception and related matters to all undergraduates. Introduction

Previous surveys in Britain (McCance & Hall, 1972) and North America (Bauman, 1970; Fujita, Wagner & Pio, 1971) have suggested that failure to use adequate contraception is common amongst university students, although they are presumed to be intelligent and to have good access to contraceptive services. A study at Aberdeen University in 1971 reported that 45% of sexually active women did not always use satisfactory contraceptive methods (McCance & Hall, 1972). In recent years, national surveys have demonstrated a trend towards increased use of contraception amongst married couples (Cartwright, 1976; Peel & Carr, 1975) and circumstantial evidence has suggested that this might be applicable to the young and unmarried (Thompson, 1976; Edmunds & Yarrow, 1977). 277

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We report here the findings of a survey of the sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice of both female and male undergraduates at Oxford University. We have also made enquiries about the sexual attitudes and depth of contraceptive knowledge of the undergraduates and asked for their opinions about the usefulness and relevance of the distribution of a booklet (Anon, 1977) on contraception and related matters. Method

The inquiry was by questionnaire sent with an introductory letter. (A copy of the questionnaire and introductory letter will be sent on request.) The University administration provided adhesive address labels with the names of a random sample of 1006 male and 1009 female undergraduates (15% and 53% of the corresponding populations, respectively). The questionnaires were delivered by hand at the end of the 4th week of the Hilary Term 1977. There was no identifying mark on the questionnaire or the return envelope and it was impossible to associate a particular questionnaire with any individual undergraduate or college. To permit follow-up of those students who did not reply, each individual was allocated an identifying number. The list of these numbers was destroyed at the end of the study. A postcard, bearing the identifying number, was enclosed with the original letter and questionnaire. Students were asked to return the postcard to a separate address at the same time as they returned the completed questionnaire. A follow-up letter enclosing a second questionnaire was sent after 2 weeks to those from whom no postcard had been received. The questionnaire was divided into seven sections, each one dealing with a different aspect of sexual attitudes, sexual behaviour or contraceptive practice. To define current sexual and contraceptive practice during term-time, one section of the questionnaire restricted attention to the 4-week period immediately preceding its receipt (the study period). Before coding, each individual questionnaire was inspected for evidence of inconsistency or falsification. Ten suspect questionnaires were discarded. Unless otherwise stated, statistical analysis was by means of x2 2 x 2 tables. In these cases the x2 value has been omitted and only the P value given. Results

Eight hundred and sixty-two women (85-4%) and 634 men (630%) returned satisfactorily completed questionnaires. Sixty-seven per cent of the returns were received during the 2-week period after the first mailing. There was no evidence that failure to respond was characteristic of any particular faculty or year of study. Thirteen women (1-5%) and six men (0-9%) were married. Number of students with experience of intercourse Fifty-nine per cent of the women and 52 % of the men stated that they had experienced intercourse (P < 001). The proportion with experience increased with age from 39% of the women and 27% of the men in the group aged 18 or less to

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83 % of the women and 66 % of the men in the group aged 22 or more. Similarly, the proportion of experienced students increased from 49% of women and 40% of men in their 1st year of study to 70% of women and 60% of men in their 3rd year. Analysis by faculty showed that 55 % of women reading for science degrees had had intercourse compared with 60 % in the arts faculty, 61 % in the medical faculty and 71 % in the social sciences faculty (#, = 5-9, not significant). The corresponding figures for the men were: science, 43 %; arts, 57 %; medicine, 75 %; social sciences, 68% Of = 18-5, P< 0-001). Religious upbringing showed no correlation with sexual experience, but of those women who did not currently practise any religion 78 % had had intercourse compared with 46% of those who were practising members of the Church of England and 46 % of those who were practising Roman Catholics. Corresponding figures for the men were: no religion, 64%; Church of England, 29%; Roman Catholic, 35%. The inexperienced undergraduates were asked to select one or more statements from a list to describe their reasons for not having had sexual intercourse. Multiple reasons could be given and those selected are summarized in Table 1. (In Tables 1, 2 and 5, the heading is the question used in the questionnaire.) The undergraduates were asked under what circumstances they thought sexual intercourse to be justified; 6 % of sexually experienced women and 43 % of inexperienced women felt that this should happen only when students are married or engaged. The corresponding figures for the men were 3 % and 28 %. Table 1. Which of the following describes your reason(s) for not having had sexual intercourse? (Inexperienced undergraduates)

Reason Do not want intercourse before marriage Have not had relationship where wanted intercourse Worried about pregnancy Don't feel ready for intercourse Opportunity has not arisen Other

Women « = 341

« = 300

(%)

Sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice of undergraduates at Oxford University.

J. biosoc. Sci. (1978) 10, 277-286 SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND CONTRACEPTIVE PRACTICE OF UNDERGRADUATES AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY P. ANDERSON*, K. McPHERSONf, N...
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