Latino College Men’s Perceptions of Sexual Health Terms

Purpose: This study aims to identify Latino college men's subjective perceptions of sexual health terminologies and the meanings they construct around them. Despite institutional efforts to improve sexual health on college campuses, little research has focused on Latino men’s perceptions. This study examines the primary meanings Latino college men attribute to common sexual health terms and explores the gendered and cultural beliefs that influence these understandings.Methods: A sexual scripting framework and conventional content analysis were used to explore perceptions of 202 Latino men on key sexual terminology. Open-ended responses were coded in MaxQDA software, with a codebook developed from recurring patterns to group statements by thematic codes. Intercoder reliability was high (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.81). Credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were maintained through coding-recoding, team discussions, and data triangulation.Results: Regarding the term Sex, participants emphasized pleasure, intimacy, and intercourse. The term Sex Education was linked to risk prevention, school-based learning, and communication skills. Sexual Empowerment themes included inherent confidence, self-image, cultural and partner influences, and communication. Findings reflect both traditional machismo and evolving caballerismo values in Latino men’s sexual perceptions.Conclusions: This study underscores the need to understand the evolving sexual behaviors and decision-making processes among diverse ethnic and racial groups, especially within college contexts. The findings provide foundational insights into Latino men’s sexual communication, contributing to the expansion of traditional sexual health frameworks to better address their unique needs on college campuses.