Premarital Sexual Activities Among Students in a University in Beijing, China

In Brief Background Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming a serious public health problem in China. College students are recognized as one of the age groups most affected. Goal The goal was to investigate premarital sexual activities and condom use among college students in Beijing in order to collect the information necessary for research on interventions. Study Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 1999 among students at a university in Beijing. A self-administered, anonymous, structured questionnaire was used. Results Among those interviewed, 41% reported premarital sexual activities: 28% had kissed partners of the opposite sex, 19% had masturbated, and 12% had engaged in sexual intercourse. Among those who had sexual intercourse, 69% had used condoms. Conclusion Today, more students are engaging in premarital sexual intercourse. Thus, it is necessary to reinforce reproductive health education among college students and provide convenient and optional services that are easily accessed. The current study, conducted at a university in Beijing in 1999, showed that 41% of students had participated in premarital sexual activities, including 12% who had had sexual intercourse, for which 69% had used condoms.