KNOWLEDGE-PRACTICE DISCREPANCY
A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF INCONSISTENT CONDOM USE AND SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE NON-METROPOLITAN OF MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35919/rbsh.v37.1363Keywords:
Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Condom, Contraception, University StudentsAbstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), knowledge about contraceptive methods, and adherence to condom use among university students at a university in Brazil, Diamantina-MG, Brazil. Data from 298 undergraduate students (aged ≥18 years) were collected online between July and December 2023. The prevalence of self-reported STI history was 8%. Although the male condom was the most commonly reported contraceptive method (92%), its use was inconsistent: only 50% of the participants reported using it in all sexual encounters, and only 9% reported its use during oral sex. Risk behaviors were frequent, such as coitus interruptus (60%) and use of emergency contraception (30%). Media and the internet (90%) were the main sources of information. Students from health-related fields showed a lower prevalence of STIs (4.5% vs. 11.8%; p=0.023). Sexual initiation before the age of 18 was associated with a higher risk behaviors. It was possible to conclude that there is a critical gap between reported contraceptive knowledge and actual preventive practices, highlighting the urgent need for institutional educational strategies that promote health literacy and commitment to safe sex among this population.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Natália Generoso Figueiredo, Vitória Teixeira Melillo, Victória Mirella Neves Rodrigues, Juliana Augusta Dias, Kinulpe Honorato Sampaio
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