An exploratory study of Hungarian university students’ sexual attitudes and behaviours

Abstract

Sexual health is the integration of the somatic, emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being that may positively enrich personality (WHO, 1975). It includes not only the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, coercion, violence and discrimination, but also a positive approach to sexuality (Edwards & Coleman, 2004). Given the apparent inadequacies of the global approach to sexual health education (SHE) for young people (UNESCO, 2009), it is unsurprising that the prevalence of STIs have increased worldwide (WHO, 2018). Although Hungary is still among the countries with low HIV/STISs infection rate, sexually active young people are at higher risk of infection (Goodwin et al., 2003; Gyarmathy, McNutt, et al., 2002; UnAIDS, 2018).