Prevalence and Types of Sexual Harassment Among Health Sciences University Students

Authors

Keywords:

Sexual Harassment, Students, Universities, Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Health

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual harassment represents a frequent problem in university settings and constitutes a form of violence that affects students’ physical, psychological, and academic well-being. Among health sciences university students, this issue becomes especially relevant due to the normalization of certain behaviors within everyday interactions. Objective: To describe the prevalence and forms of sexual harassment among health sciences university students in Coahuila, Mexico. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 356 health sciences university students from a public university in northern Mexico. The sample was selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Instrument for Measuring Sexual Harassment in University Students (IMHASEU) were used. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 23. Results: Non-consensual seduction behaviors represented the most frequent forms of sexual harassment. Sexual comments, obscene gestures, and lascivious looks were the predominant behaviors reported by participants. Dimensions related to bribery and coercion showed lower prevalence; however, experiences involving unwanted physical contact and sexual coercion were identified in a considerable proportion of participants. Conclusions: Sexual harassment continues to be present among health sciences university students, mainly through verbally normalized behaviors. The findings highlight the need to strengthen institutional strategies aimed at the prevention, detection, and management of these behaviors within university environments.

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Author Biographies

  • Nancy Rodríguez-Vázquez, Facultad de Enfermería y Nutrición Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, México

    Nancy Rodríguez-Vázquez holds a PhD in Nursing Science and is a Full-Time Research Professor at the Facultad de Enfermería y Nutrición Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila. She holds the PRODEP Desirable Profile recognition, is a Level I member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII), and belongs to the Coahuila State System of Researchers. She is a member of the Cuerpo Académico Salud Sexual Responsable and the Red de Investigación en Sexualidad. Her research focuses on sexual health, gender-based violence, sexual behavior, and vulnerable populations. She has participated in research projects, supervised undergraduate and graduate theses, and published scientific articles in the fields of sexuality and public health.

  • Jesús Alejandro Guerra-Ordoñez, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros: Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México

    Jesús Alejandro Guerra-Ordoñez holds a PhD in Nursing Science and is a Research Professor at the Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. He is a Level I member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII) and leader of the Cuerpo Académico Salud y Comportamiento Humano. His research interests include public health, sexuality, human behavior, and health promotion. He has participated in research projects, scientific publications, and the training of healthcare professionals. He is also a member of the Red de Investigación en Sexualidad.

  • Gloria Maricela Guerra-Rodríguez, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros: Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México

    Gloria Maricela Guerra-Rodríguez holds a PhD in Nursing Science and is a Full-Time Professor at the Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. She is a Level I member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII) and holds the PRODEP Desirable Profile recognition. She leads the Cuerpo Académico Educación en Salud Sexual Integral and founded Salud de la Mujer, a program that provides primary-level sexual healthcare services for women and personalized educational workshops for adolescents and women focused on comprehensive sexual health promotion and prevention. She is a member of the Red de Investigación en Sexualidad.

  • Joseline del Carmen Chim Orona, Facultad de Enfermería y Nutrición Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, México

    Joseline del Carmen Chim Orona earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the Facultad de Enfermería y Nutrición Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, graduating through a thesis defense and the EGEL national examination. She has participated in research projects related to sexual health, gender-based violence, and health issues affecting university students. Her professional interests include public health, violence prevention, and the well-being of university students. During her undergraduate studies, she collaborated in research and scientific dissemination activities and was a member of the Grupo de Estudiantes por una Sexualidad Integral (GRESI).

  • José Luis Hernández-Torres, Facultad de Enfermería y Nutrición Unidad Laguna, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, México

    José Luis Hernández Torres holds a PhD in Nursing Science and is a Full-Time Professor at the Facultad de Enfermería Unidad Torreón, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila. He is a Level I member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII), holds the PRODEP Desirable Profile recognition, and serves as an Honorary Researcher in the Coahuila State System of Researchers. He leads the Cuerpo Académico Salud Sexual Responsable, collaborates with the Departamento de Salud Sexual, and chairs the Capacity Building Committee of the Red de Investigación en Sexualidad at the national level. He has published scientific manuscripts in national and international peer-reviewed journals.

  • Héctor Manuel Gil-Vázquez, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros: Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México

    Héctor Manuel Gil-Vázquez is a Full-Time Professor at the Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. He holds the PRODEP Desirable Profile recognition and is a member of the Cuerpo Académico Educación en Salud Sexual Integral and the Red de Investigación en Sexualidad. He has collaborated on research projects related to public health, psychosocial factors, and human behavior. His scholarly work includes scientific publications and book chapters in nursing, occupational health, and sexual behavior.

  • Tirso Durán-Badillo, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros: Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México

    Tirso Durán-Badillo completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Psychology with a specialization in Educational Psychology and holds a PhD in Teaching Methodology. He is a Full-Time Professor and Head of the Graduate Studies Division at the Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. He is a Level I member of Mexico's National System of Researchers (SNII) and belongs to the Cuerpo Académico Salud y Comportamiento Humano. He serves as National Coordinator of the Red ESAM México. His research interests include healthy aging, education, public health, and human behavior.

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Published

2026-07-31

Issue

No. 6 (2026): Revista Científica FEMUAS

Section

Original Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Científica FEMUAS

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How to Cite

Prevalence and Types of Sexual Harassment Among Health Sciences University Students. (2026). Revista Científica FEMUAS, 6, 32-47. https://revistas.uas.edu.mx/index.php/FEMUAS/article/view/1863