Sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice of undergraduates at Oxford University
Anderson, P.; Mcpherson, K.; Beeching, N.; Weinberg, J.; Vessey, M.
Journal of Biosocial Science 10(3): 277-286
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 690163 Document Number: 436834
Undergraduates at Oxford University [UK] were sent a questionaire about their sexual behavior and contraceptive practice. Of those who replied, 512 women (59%) and 332 men (52%) experienced sexual intercourse, 396 women and 191 men in the 4-wk period preceding receipt of the questionnaire. No contraception was used by 27% of the women on the first occasion that they had intercourse; during the 4-wk period preceding receipt of the questionnaire 10% of sexually active women had intercourse on one or more occasions without using a contraceptive. The use of contraception increased with the frequency of intercourse and the stability of the relationship. Several of the women (31) were pregnant in the past; none were pregnant at the time of the survey, although (16) suspected that they might be. Most of the students (90%) approved of the free distribution of a booklet on contraception and related matters to all undergraduates.