Youth sexual health in Europe: first results from the European Federation of Sexology Youth Committee study

Objective:Acceptance of sexual health as fundamental human right hasallowed for creation of new health programs and policies. As they mature andbecome sexually active, young people might face serious health risks withinsufficient information and too little access to health care services. The mainaim of this study was to explore some sexual health related factors (SexualFunctioning, Distress, Quality of Life [QoL], and Alexithymia) acrossdifferent European countries in a sample of university students (aged be-tween 18-25).Methods:A total of 1860 people (699 men and 1161 women) wererecruited with a snowball technique from the general population in 4 Eu-ropean countries (Italy, Malta, Turkey, and Norway) by the Youth Com-mittee of the European Federation of Sexology. Participants answered a briefsocio-demographic questionnaire, the International Index of Erectile Func-tion (IIEF), the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), the SexualComplaints Screener (SCS), the Short Form 36 (SF36) and the TorontoAlexithymia Scale (TAS20).Results:Maltese group reported more often to be in a stable relationship, tobe employed and to have children. High consumption of alcohol and rec-reational drugs were reported in all countries. Sexual functioning in allcountries (except Maltese women) were below the clinical cut off score forFSFI [F(3,1075)¼89.55; p<.001] and IIEF [F(3,647)¼28.45; p<.001].QoL was lower in Norway and Turkey [F(3,1672)¼33.98; p<.001] andMaltese group reported clinical score in Alexithymia [F(3,1672)¼39.30 p<.001]. Country differences in sexual dysfunctions and distress werehighlighted.Conclusion:This study showed an alarming situation about sexual health inthese European countries. To better understand the Results, we shouldconsider that sexual health is the result of a complex interconnection be-tween biopsychosocial phenomena. Cultural differences should be alsoconsidered, even if European young people are moving towards a rapidcultural globalization and unification.