Mental and Sexual Health of Young University Students

Health is a fundamental right for all people. In the university context, students face challenges that can affect both their sexual behavior and their mental health. Therefore, understanding the relationship between these two variables is essential for their comprehensive development. Objective: To explore the mental and sexual health status of university students from the perspective of Maslow’s theory, referring to the hierarchy of needs that people seek to satisfy throughout their lives. Method: This is a quantitative study with an exploratory scope and a non-experimental design. A validated instrument was used for data collection: the Questionnaire of Lifestyle in University Students (ESVISAUN), designed for higher education populations. Only 23 items related to mental health, stress, and sexual health were analyzed. The study population consisted of 76 students from the Marketing program at Campus V of the Instituto Campechano, representing the entire enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Results: It was found that 46% of the students considered their health status to be poor, mainly because 35% reported high levels of stress. Regarding the sexual aspect, 64% had already had sexual intercourse, and 5.26% had suffered a sexually transmitted infection.