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Sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice of undergraduates at Oxford University

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

P. Anderson ,
K. McPherson ,
N. Beeching ,
J. Weinberg  and
M. Vessey
P. Anderson
Affiliation:
The Medical School, University of Oxford
K. McPherson
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Community Medicine, University of Oxford.
N. Beeching
Affiliation:
Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Department of Social and Community Medicine, University of Oxford
J. Weinberg
Affiliation:
The Medical School, University of Oxford
M. Vessey
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Community Medicine, University of Oxford.
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Summary

At the end of the 4th week of the Hilary Term 1977, 1006 male and 1009 female undergraduates at Oxford University were sent a questionnaire enquiring about their sexual behaviour and contraceptive practice. Of the 862 women and 634 men who replied, 512 women (59%) and 332 men (52%) had experienced sexual intercourse, 396 women and 191 men in the 4-week period preceding receipt of the questionnaire. No contraception had been used by 27% of the women on the first occasion that they had had intercourse; during the 4-week period preceding receipt of the questionnaire 10% of sexually active women had 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. Thirty-one women had been pregnant in the past; none was known to be pregnant at the time of the survey, although sixteen suspected that they might be. Ninety per cent of the students approved of the free distribution of a booklet on contraception and related matters to all undergraduates.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , July 1978 , pp. 277 - 286
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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