International students' views on sexual health: a qualitative study at an Australian university

Abstract

Background The number of international students at Australian universities is rapidly increasing, and they contribute significantly to Australia’s economy. However, concerns have been raised for the health and wellbeing of international students, and there is limited information concerning international students with regard to their sexual health. Methods: Overall, 13 individual semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 international students at an Australian university, aiming to understand the views and experiences of international students with regard to their sexual health and wellbeing. The interviews were analysed thematically, generating four themes. Results: Participants had a varied understanding of sexual consent, which often included concerns about the practicalities of saying ‘no’ to unwanted sexual interactions and misinformation about the effect of reporting sexual misconduct on their privacy and visa status. Cultural and familial taboos were often inherited, but many participants described an evolution of personal views and attitudes regarding topics such as sex before marriage and same-sex relationships, which had occurred since moving to Australia. Participants expressed that they received large amounts of information about sexual health, but often lacked the skills to navigate that information and access relevant support. Conclusions: These data, along with participants’ suggestions for future support and education, are important for understanding the complex experiences of international students at Australian universities, and should be considered when implementing future sexual health education and support programs.