Health-Related Lifestyles, Substance-Related Behaviors, and Sexual Habits Among Italian Young Adult Males: An Epidemiologic Study

Luca Flesia; Francesca Cavalieri; Stefano Angelini; Gioia Bottesi; Marta Ghisi; Enrico Tonon; Agustina Perez Roldan; Andrea Di Nisio; Andrea Garolla; Alberto Ferlin; Carlo Foresta

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2020.03.003

Health-Related Lifestyles, Substance-Related Behaviors, and Sexual Habits Among Italian Young Adult Males: An Epidemiologic Study

Sex Med. 2020 Sep;8(3):361-369. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 May 7.

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: luca.flesia@ordinepsicologiveneto.it.
² Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
³ Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
⁴ Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
⁵ Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.

Abstract

Introduction: Young adult males are more likely to demonstrate health-risk behaviors than other individuals. The use of specific data about health-risk behaviors within this population might be important to promote effective preventive psychosocial and educational programs and interventions.

Aim: To provide a detailed description of health-related lifestyles, substance-related behaviors, and sexual habits that can negatively affect fertility, sexual sphere, and health in a large sample of Italian young adult males.

Methods: A sample comprising 2,170 males aged 18-21 years, attending the last year of high school, was administered an online questionnaire made up of 39 multiple-choice questions. The questionnaire explored health-related lifestyles, substance-related behaviors, and sexuality and sexual habits. Descriptive analyses were conducted.

Main outcome measure: The outcome measures included data about health-related lifestyles, substance-related behaviors, and sexuality and sexual habits reported by Italian young adult males.

Results: Health-related lifestyles: 92.9% of the sample reported practicing some physical activity during the week. 90.3% declared a Mediterranean diet and 8.1% a hyperproteic diet. Substance-related behaviors: 33.8% of the sample reported having smoked tobacco at least once in their lives; among them, 71% reported current daily smoking. 40.2% declared drinking alcohol from 5 to 7 days in a week. 32.9% of the sample reported currently using a substance. Sexuality and sexual habits: 97.1% of the sample self-defined themselves as heterosexual. 73.3% of participants rated their knowledge about sexuality as "excellent/good," 58.7% about sexually transmitted infections. Only 4.8% reported having had a seminal liquid examination. Half of the sample (52.2%) declared having had sexual intercourses, in the largest proportion protected sex. 14.7% of the sample reported having at least one sexual dysfunction. 88.6% of participants reported having used pornography, 18.7% every day.

Conclusion: The present study highlighted the need to empower the number and efficacy of preventive interventions to promote health-related behaviors among Italian young male population. Flesia L, Cavalieri F, Angelini S, et al. Health-Related Lifestyles, Substance-Related Behaviors, and Sexual Habits Among Italian Young Adult Males: An Epidemiologic Study. Sex Med 2020;8:361-369.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Health; Prevention; Risk Behaviors; Sexuality; Young Males.