What is abstinence? Definitions and examples of abstinence, to prevent the sexual transmission of the HIV virus, according to Spanish university students

M. Planes; A.B. Gomez; E. Gras; M.J.M. Sullman; S. Font-Mayolas; M. Cunill; M. Aymerich

doi:10.1375/bech.26.3.168

What is abstinence? Definitions and examples of abstinence, to prevent the sexual transmission of the HIV virus, according to Spanish university students

M. Planes, A.B. Gomez, E. Gras, M.J.M. Sullman, S. Font-Mayolas, M. Cunill, M. Aymerich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Research carried out in several Anglo-Saxon countries shows that many undergraduates identify oral sex and anal sex as examples of abstinent behaviour, while many others consider kissing and masturbation as examples of having sex. The objective of this research was to investigate whether a sample of Spanish students gave similar replies. Seven hundred and fifty undergraduates (92% aged under 26, 67.6% women) produced examples or definitions of the term ‘abstinence’. Spanish students made similar errors to those observed in the Anglo-Saxon samples, in that behaviours that were abstinent from a preventive point of view (masturbating and sex without penetration) were not considered as such, while a number of students reported oral sex as abstinent behaviour. The results suggest that the information on risky and preventive sexual behaviour should cease to use ambiguous or euphemistic expressions and use vocabulary that is clear and comprehensible to everyone.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	168-173
Journal	Behaviour Change
Volume	26
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1375/bech.26.3.168
Publication status	Published - 2009

Keywords

sexual abstinence
terminology
AIDS prevention
gender differences

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10.1375/bech.26.3.168

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title = "What is abstinence? Definitions and examples of abstinence, to prevent the sexual transmission of the HIV virus, according to Spanish university students",

abstract = "Research carried out in several Anglo-Saxon countries shows that many undergraduates identify oral sex and anal sex as examples of abstinent behaviour, while many others consider kissing and masturbation as examples of having sex. The objective of this research was to investigate whether a sample of Spanish students gave similar replies. Seven hundred and fifty undergraduates (92% aged under 26, 67.6% women) produced examples or definitions of the term {\textquoteleft}abstinence{\textquoteright}. Spanish students made similar errors to those observed in the Anglo-Saxon samples, in that behaviours that were abstinent from a preventive point of view (masturbating and sex without penetration) were not considered as such, while a number of students reported oral sex as abstinent behaviour. The results suggest that the information on risky and preventive sexual behaviour should cease to use ambiguous or euphemistic expressions and use vocabulary that is clear and comprehensible to everyone.",

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doi = "10.1375/bech.26.3.168",

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T1 - What is abstinence? Definitions and examples of abstinence, to prevent the sexual transmission of the HIV virus, according to Spanish university students

AU - Planes, M.

AU - Gomez, A.B.

AU - Gras, E.

AU - Sullman, M.J.M.

AU - Font-Mayolas, S.

AU - Cunill, M.

AU - Aymerich, M.

N1 - Original article can be found at : http://www.australianacademicpress.com/ Copyright Australian Academic Press [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Research carried out in several Anglo-Saxon countries shows that many undergraduates identify oral sex and anal sex as examples of abstinent behaviour, while many others consider kissing and masturbation as examples of having sex. The objective of this research was to investigate whether a sample of Spanish students gave similar replies. Seven hundred and fifty undergraduates (92% aged under 26, 67.6% women) produced examples or definitions of the term ‘abstinence’. Spanish students made similar errors to those observed in the Anglo-Saxon samples, in that behaviours that were abstinent from a preventive point of view (masturbating and sex without penetration) were not considered as such, while a number of students reported oral sex as abstinent behaviour. The results suggest that the information on risky and preventive sexual behaviour should cease to use ambiguous or euphemistic expressions and use vocabulary that is clear and comprehensible to everyone.

AB - Research carried out in several Anglo-Saxon countries shows that many undergraduates identify oral sex and anal sex as examples of abstinent behaviour, while many others consider kissing and masturbation as examples of having sex. The objective of this research was to investigate whether a sample of Spanish students gave similar replies. Seven hundred and fifty undergraduates (92% aged under 26, 67.6% women) produced examples or definitions of the term ‘abstinence’. Spanish students made similar errors to those observed in the Anglo-Saxon samples, in that behaviours that were abstinent from a preventive point of view (masturbating and sex without penetration) were not considered as such, while a number of students reported oral sex as abstinent behaviour. The results suggest that the information on risky and preventive sexual behaviour should cease to use ambiguous or euphemistic expressions and use vocabulary that is clear and comprehensible to everyone.

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KW - terminology

KW - AIDS prevention

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IS - 3

ER -

What is abstinence? Definitions and examples of abstinence, to prevent the sexual transmission of the HIV virus, according to Spanish university students

Abstract

Keywords

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