Pornography Consumption and Sexual Behavior Among Male University Students in HIV Risk Region of South Africa

This study explored the association between pornography consumption and self-reported sexual behavior among male students from two campuses of a South African public university in an HIV risk region. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 200 black male students (aged 18–26 years old) across the rural and urban campuses. Grounded in Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, this research examined the relationship between digital sexual scripts and reported sexual behavior. Statistical analysis using Pearson’s correlation and Chi-square tests showed three significant associations: first, there was a significant negative correlation between consumption frequency and the age of sexual debut (r = −0.42, p < 0.05), with higher frequency use associated with earlier reported sexual debut. Second, reported consumption of aggressive or dominant content was significantly associated with a higher reported number of annual sexual partners ((χ2) = 12.45, p < 0.01). Third, frequent pornography consumption positively correlated with reported unprotected sexual intercourse (r = 0.51, p < 0.05). These findings indicate the co-occurrence between certain patterns of pornography and reported sexual risk behavior rather than causality. This study suggests a need to integrate digital media literacy into university orientation programs and to develop peer-led interventions that address unrealistic sexual scripts. Given the cross-sectional nature of this study, longitudinal research is needed to further understand these associations.