Sexual behavior of university students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study

Objective: To analyze the sexual behaviors of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Mixed study, carried out on four campuses of a public university in Paraiba, Brazil, between March 2021 and April 2022. The research followed ethical precepts. Results: 404 university students were included, with an average age of 23.7 years, predominantly female, brown and single. The prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections was 7.9%. Male students were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. Multiple logistic regression indicated that university students aged 25 or over who had engaged in casual sex in the last 12 months and had received or paid for sex were more likely to have sexually transmitted infections. The content analysis showed that social isolation was reflected in reduced consumption of alcohol and other substances, reduced sexual practices, increased use of social networks, as well as low adherence to condoms. Conclusion: Physical distancing has an impact on the sexual behavior of university students, as well as on the consumption of alcohol and other substances.