Abstract

ARANDA, María; ROBLES, Junes Lady  and  MONTES-BERGES, Beatriz. Sexual behaviors among young people: risk perception and beliefs about alcohol. Rev.latinoam.cienc.soc.niñez juv [online]. 2025, vol.23, n.2, pp.186-210.  Epub Aug 01, 2025. ISSN 1692-715X.  https://doi.org/10.11600/rlcsnj.23.2.6670.

This study used a cross-sectional observational analytical design to describe aspects of sexual behavior among Ecuadorian youths including early initiation of sexual relations, inconsistent use of condoms and a high number of sexual partners. The authors analyze the effects of alcohol expectancies, risk/protection perceptions, and sociodemographic variables based on a study that had participation from 838 young people with an average age of 19.7 years old and 48% of whom were women. The earliest initiation of sexual relations was at 10 years of age. More than half of the sample did not use a condom in their first or subsequent acts of sexual intercourse. The study found that sexual behaviors were related to risk perception. Associations were identified between risk and protection perceptions and expectations about alcohol while the authors showed that a participant’s gender and area of origin influenced their responses.

Keywords : Sexual behavior; attitude; perception; alcohol; youth; risk factors.

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