CARACTERIZACIÓN DEL COMPORTAMIENTO SEXUAL Y REPRODUCTIVO Y ACCESO A LOS SERVICIOS DE SALUD, DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE LA FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS MÉDICAS DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA

OBJECTIVE: To characterize sexual and reproductive behavior and health needs of students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca. METHOD: descriptive study type. Universe: 3265 students of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Cuenca, in the academic year in September 2014 in february 2015. Sample: was randomized by cluster (ca-reer and courses) in the three schools of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. RESULTS: Of all the surveyed students, 44.7% were from medical school, nursing 27.7%, 27.7% medical technology; 68.6% female and 31.4% male, with a mean age of 21 years; most are unmarried 87.7%, 94.1% are heterosexual, mestizos 97.2% residing in urban areas 81.5%. 45.7% of the women and 70.1% of males are sexually active, 15% are parents, 81.6% have used a contraceptive, however the consistent use of contra-ceptives is 55.1%. 66.2% of respondents have visited a doctor last year; 77.3% handle sufficient information for the prevention of pregnancy and 79.7% for STD prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Although students have information on sexuality and access to health services, adverse effects on sexual and reproductive health are identified as a problem that leads to student dropout and low academic performance. The main solutions to combat the adverse effects include: improving the quality of information, enhance access to comprehensive health services, generating healthy spaces.