Analysis of risky sexual behaviors among male college students who were sexually active in Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Males have accounted for a significant share of new HIV infections among young people in the recent years. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with risky sexual behaviors, including early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex, among sexually active male college students and provide implications for tailored health interventions. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to December 2021 in 16 colleges that were located in Sichuan Province, one of the high-risk areas in China. Overall 1640 male college students who reported sexually experienced were analyzed in this study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to determine factors associated with early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex. Results The average age of included male students was 19.95 ± 1.56. Of them, 27.74% initiated sexual behavior early, 48.60% reported multiple sexual partnership, and 16.52% did not use condoms at the latest sexual intercourse. Students who were younger (age ≤ 19, AOR = 7.60, 95%CI: 4.84–11.93; age20-21, AOR = 3.26, 95%CI: 2.04–5.21) and self-identified as sexual minorities (AOR = 2.38, 95%CI: 1.69–3.36) were more likely to have early sexual debut. The odds of having multiple sexual partners were higher among those who were ethnic minorities (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.33–2.41) and accepted extramarital sex (AOR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.03–1.71). The likelihood of engaging in condomless sex at the latest sexual intercourse was lower among those who had sufficient knowledgeable about HIV (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.44–0.89), were very confident in condom use efficacy (AOR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.16–0.43) and confident (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.34–0.69). Early sexual debut was positively associated with multiple sexual partnership (AOR = 3.64, 95%CI: 2.82–4.71) and condomless sex at the latest intercourse (AOR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.07–2.20), respectively. Conclusion Early sexual debut, multiple sexual partnership and condomless sex were of considerable concern among male college students. Comprehensive sex education curricula were advised by developing customized information on HIV prevention, sexuality and empowering students with assertiveness and negotiation skills with regard to condom use during and before college.