Premarital sexual activities among students in a university in Beijing, China

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.