Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women
Background Sexual health knowledge is a key determinant of adolescents’ and young adults’ sexual and reproductive behaviors. However, limited evidence exists on how sexual knowledge influences behavioral intentions among university women who have not yet initiated sexual activity. Understanding thes...
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| Formato: | Artículo |
| Lenguaje: | inglés |
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2026
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| author | Janett V. Chávez Sosa Luis M. Ticahuanca Tacora Criss M. Flores Burga Jerusalen A. Garnique Fernandez Salomón Huancahuire‐Vega |
| author_browse | Criss M. Flores Burga Janett V. Chávez Sosa Jerusalen A. Garnique Fernandez Luis M. Ticahuanca Tacora Salomón Huancahuire‐Vega |
| author_facet | Janett V. Chávez Sosa Luis M. Ticahuanca Tacora Criss M. Flores Burga Jerusalen A. Garnique Fernandez Salomón Huancahuire‐Vega |
| author_sort | Janett V. Chávez Sosa |
| collection | Producción científica |
| description | Background Sexual health knowledge is a key determinant of adolescents’ and young adults’ sexual and reproductive behaviors. However, limited evidence exists on how sexual knowledge influences behavioral intentions among university women who have not yet initiated sexual activity. Understanding these relationships is essential for designing evidence-based educational and public health strategies that promote safer sexual decision-making and reproductive autonomy. Objective To evaluate whether the level of sexual health knowledge predicts intentions regarding sexual activity, sexual protection, and sexual risk among university women with no history of sexual intercourse. Study Design A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted among female university students aged 18–35 years enrolled in a private university in East Lima during the 2025-I academic semester. A total of 493 participants met eligibility criteria, which included absence of prior sexual intercourse and capacity to complete questionnaires independently. Sexual health knowledge was measured using the validated knowledge dimension of the CAPSEX questionnaire, and sexual intentions were assessed with the female version of the Intention Scale in Sexual Activity. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between knowledge scores and intentions. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, relationship status, place of origin, school of enrollment, year of study, family income, and employment status. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Overall, 51.3% of participants demonstrated adequate sexual knowledge. Knowledge was not significantly correlated with intention of sexual activity (ρ = –0.063; p = 0.165). In multivariate analyses, higher sexual knowledge predicted lower intention of sexual risk (B = −0.302; 95% CI: −0.462 to −0.141; p < 0.001) and higher intention of sexual protection (B = 0.127; 95% CI: 0.019 to 0.235; p = 0.021). Age was positively associated with sexual risk intention (B = 0.181; 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.344; p = 0.029). Low family income was associated with higher intention of sexual protection (B = 0.572; 95% CI: 0.145 to 0.999; p = 0.009) and reduced intention of sexual risk (B = −0.744; 95% CI: −1.382 to −0.105; p = 0.023). Not working showed lower scores with sexual protection intention (B = −0.513; 95% CI: −0.988 to −0.039; p = 0.034). Conclusions Sexual health knowledge independently predicts both decreased sexual risk intention and increased protective intention among university women without prior sexual activity. Socioeconomic disadvantage remains an important modifying factor. Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education within higher education institutions may enhance reproductive autonomy and reduce future sexual health risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | openalex:W7169793032 |
| institution | UPeU |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | openalex:W7169793032Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university womenJanett V. Chávez SosaLuis M. Ticahuanca TacoraCriss M. Flores BurgaJerusalen A. Garnique FernandezSalomón Huancahuire‐Vegasexual health knowledgesexual intentionsexual risk behaviorsexual protectionfemale university studentsvirginityreproductive autonomyhousehold incomeagesexual decision-makingAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive HealthReproductive Health and ContraceptionLGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyBackground Sexual health knowledge is a key determinant of adolescents’ and young adults’ sexual and reproductive behaviors. However, limited evidence exists on how sexual knowledge influences behavioral intentions among university women who have not yet initiated sexual activity. Understanding these relationships is essential for designing evidence-based educational and public health strategies that promote safer sexual decision-making and reproductive autonomy. Objective To evaluate whether the level of sexual health knowledge predicts intentions regarding sexual activity, sexual protection, and sexual risk among university women with no history of sexual intercourse. Study Design A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted among female university students aged 18–35 years enrolled in a private university in East Lima during the 2025-I academic semester. A total of 493 participants met eligibility criteria, which included absence of prior sexual intercourse and capacity to complete questionnaires independently. Sexual health knowledge was measured using the validated knowledge dimension of the CAPSEX questionnaire, and sexual intentions were assessed with the female version of the Intention Scale in Sexual Activity. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations between knowledge scores and intentions. Multivariate models were adjusted for age, relationship status, place of origin, school of enrollment, year of study, family income, and employment status. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Overall, 51.3% of participants demonstrated adequate sexual knowledge. Knowledge was not significantly correlated with intention of sexual activity (ρ = –0.063; p = 0.165). In multivariate analyses, higher sexual knowledge predicted lower intention of sexual risk (B = −0.302; 95% CI: −0.462 to −0.141; p < 0.001) and higher intention of sexual protection (B = 0.127; 95% CI: 0.019 to 0.235; p = 0.021). Age was positively associated with sexual risk intention (B = 0.181; 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.344; p = 0.029). Low family income was associated with higher intention of sexual protection (B = 0.572; 95% CI: 0.145 to 0.999; p = 0.009) and reduced intention of sexual risk (B = −0.744; 95% CI: −1.382 to −0.105; p = 0.023). Not working showed lower scores with sexual protection intention (B = −0.513; 95% CI: −0.988 to −0.039; p = 0.034). Conclusions Sexual health knowledge independently predicts both decreased sexual risk intention and increased protective intention among university women without prior sexual activity. Socioeconomic disadvantage remains an important modifying factor. Strengthening comprehensive sexuality education within higher education institutions may enhance reproductive autonomy and reduce future sexual health risks.Articlehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2026.100677W7169793032enAJOG Global Reports2666-57782026-07-20 |
| spellingShingle | sexual health knowledge sexual intention sexual risk behavior sexual protection female university students virginity reproductive autonomy household income age sexual decision-making Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Reproductive Health and Contraception LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy Janett V. Chávez Sosa Luis M. Ticahuanca Tacora Criss M. Flores Burga Jerusalen A. Garnique Fernandez Salomón Huancahuire‐Vega Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title | Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title_full | Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title_fullStr | Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title_short | Sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| title_sort | sexual knowledge as a predictor of intention in sexual activity in university women |
| topic | sexual health knowledge sexual intention sexual risk behavior sexual protection female university students virginity reproductive autonomy household income age sexual decision-making Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Reproductive Health and Contraception LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy |
| topic_facet | sexual health knowledge sexual intention sexual risk behavior sexual protection female university students virginity reproductive autonomy household income age sexual decision-making Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Reproductive Health and Contraception LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2026.100677 |
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