Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception as Factors Associated With STI Incidence in Young Adults (VIBE)

September 29, 2026 updated by: Parc de Salut Mar

Sexual Behavior and Risk Perception as Factors Associated With the Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Young Adults Aged 18-25 Years

This observational cross-sectional study aims to assess sexual behavior and perception of sexual risk among young adults aged 18 to 25 years in Barcelona, Spain, and to examine their association with self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study will also explore knowledge and beliefs about STIs, protective practices such as condom use, number of sexual partners, and experiences of sexual pressure or coercion. The study will use a validated scale to assess perception of risk related to sexual behavior, together with an additional questionnaire developed for the study population.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Detailed Description

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an important public health concern among young people. Although young adults may have access to information about STI prevention, this knowledge does not always translate into protective sexual practices.

This observational cross-sectional study will investigate the relationship between sexual behavior, perception of sexual risk, and self-reported STI occurrence among young adults aged 18 to 25 years living in or attending educational institutions in Barcelona, Spain.

Participants will complete an anonymous questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, knowledge and beliefs about STIs, perception of sexual risk, protective practices such as condom use, and number of sexual partners. The questionnaire will also include questions concerning experiences of sexual pressure or coercion and other forms of sexual or digital control. Perception of sexual risk will be assessed using a previously validated scale, complemented by study-specific questions.

The study will describe patterns of sexual behavior and risk perception and will examine whether lower perceived sexual risk is associated with riskier sexual behaviors and a higher prevalence of self-reported STIs.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Spain
      • Barcelona, Spain, 08003
        • Suspended
        • ESIMar - Escola Superior d'Infermeria Hospital del Mar
      • Barcelona, Spain, 08025
        • Recruiting
        • Facultat CC Salut Blanquerna

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 25 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Young adults aged 18 to 25 years who are recruited in Barcelona, Spain. The study population includes young adults of all sexes and gender identities who are eligible to participate and who voluntarily provide informed consent. Participants will complete an anonymous questionnaire assessing sexual behavior, sexual risk perception, knowledge and beliefs about sexually transmitted infections, preventive practices, and experiences related to sexual pressure or coercion.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 18 and 25 years, inclusive.
  • Belonging to the population targeted for recruitment in Barcelona, Spain.
  • Able to understand and complete the study questionnaire.
  • Willing to participate voluntarily and provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age younger than 18 years or older than 25 years.
  • Unable to understand or complete the study questionnaire.
  • Declines to provide informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: COHORT
  • Time Perspectives: CROSS_SECTIONAL

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sexual risk perception score
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Total score on the validated scale assessing perceived risk associated with sexual behaviors. The score will be used to quantify participants' perception of sexual risk and to examine its association with sexual risk behaviors and self-reported sexually transmitted infections.
At study enrollment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Self-reported diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Proportion of participants who report having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection during the previous 12 months, based on the question: "Have you been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months?" Responses will be recorded as yes or no.
At study enrollment
Sexual risk behaviors
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Frequency and prevalence of sexual behaviors associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, assessed by questionnaire, including condom use and other relevant sexual practices.
At study enrollment
Condom use
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Self-reported frequency of condom use during sexual activity, assessed by questionnaire.
At study enrollment
Number of sexual partners
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Self-reported number of sexual partners during the period specified in the study questionnaire.
At study enrollment

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Experiences of sexual pressure or coercion
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Self-reported experiences of sexual pressure, coercion, pressure not to use condoms, psychological violence, or digital control related to sexual relationships during the period specified in the questionnaire.
At study enrollment
Sexual pressure/coercion
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Self-reported experiences of sexual pressure or coercion, including pressure to engage in sexual activity or pressure not to use condoms, as well as psychological or digital control related to sexual relationships, assessed using study-specific questionnaire items.
At study enrollment
Psychological/digital control
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Self-reported experiences of psychological or digital control within sexual or intimate relationships, assessed using study-specific questionnaire items addressing controlling behaviors and digital monitoring or control.
At study enrollment
Sociodemographic variables
Time Frame: At study enrollment

Sociodemographic characteristics of participants, including age, gender identity, educational level, and other demographic variables collected through the study questionnaire. These variables will be used to describe the study population and may be considered as potential confounding or explanatory factors in the analysis.
At study enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Parc de Salut Mar

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Laura García Lausín, PhD, Hospital del Mar

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

  • Robles, J. L., Aranda, M., & Montes-Berges, B. (2022). Diseño y validación de la Escala de Percepción del Riesgo para Conducta Sexual en jóvenes ecuatorianos. Suma Psicológica, 29(1), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.14349/sumapsi.2022.v29.n1.5

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 12, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
January 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 8, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 29, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2025/12375
  • 2025 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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