This observational cross-sectional study aims to assess sexual behavior and perception of sexual risk among young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Barcelona, Spain, and to examine their association with self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study will also explore knowledge and beliefs about STIs, protective practices such as condom use, number of sexual partners, and experiences of sexual pressure or coercion. The study will use a validated scale to assess perception of risk related to sexual behavior, together with an additional questionnaire developed for the study population.
Age between 18 and 25 years, inclusive.
Belonging to the population targeted for recruitment in Barcelona, Spain.
Able to understand and complete the study questionnaire.
Willing to participate voluntarily and provide informed consent.
Age younger than 18 years or older than 25 years.
Unable to understand or complete the study questionnaire.
Declines to provide informed consent.
Young adults aged 18 to 25 years who are recruited in Barcelona, Spain. The study population includes young adults of all sexes and gender identities who are eligible to participate and who voluntarily provide informed consent. Participants will complete an anonymous questionnaire assessing sexual behavior, sexual risk perception, knowledge and beliefs about sexually transmitted infections, preventive practices, and experiences related to sexual pressure or coercion.
Cohort
Cross-sectional
Not listed
Sexual risk perception score
Total score on the validated scale assessing perceived risk associated with sexual behaviors. The score will be used to quantify participants' perception of sexual risk and to examine its association with sexual risk behaviors and self-reported sexually transmitted infections.
Self-reported diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months
Proportion of participants who report having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection during the previous 12 months, based on the question: "Have you been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months?" Responses will be recorded as yes or no.
Sexual risk behaviors
Frequency and prevalence of sexual behaviors associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, assessed by questionnaire, including condom use and other relevant sexual practices.
Condom use
Self-reported frequency of condom use during sexual activity, assessed by questionnaire.
Number of sexual partners
Self-reported number of sexual partners during the period specified in the study questionnaire.
Experiences of sexual pressure or coercion
Self-reported experiences of sexual pressure, coercion, pressure not to use condoms, psychological violence, or digital control related to sexual relationships during the period specified in the questionnaire.
Sexual pressure/coercion
Self-reported experiences of sexual pressure or coercion, including pressure to engage in sexual activity or pressure not to use condoms, as well as psychological or digital control related to sexual relationships, assessed using study-specific questionnaire items.
Psychological/digital control
Self-reported experiences of psychological or digital control within sexual or intimate relationships, assessed using study-specific questionnaire items addressing controlling behaviors and digital monitoring or control.
Sociodemographic variables
Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, including age, gender identity, educational level, and other demographic variables collected through the study questionnaire. These variables will be used to describe the study population and may be considered as potential confounding or explanatory factors in the analysis.
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