OBJECTIVETo examine the child sexual abuse (CSA) experiences and its associations with self-reported mental health status and risky behaviors among university students.

METHODSA retrospective survey was conducted in 565 undergraduate students, from a university in northeast China, by anonymous self-administered questionnaire in September 2003. Research subjects were asked on a series of retrospective questions about CSA, as well as questions on depression, self-esteem, symptoms of psychological disease and risky behaviours.

RESULTSPrevalence of any unwanted sexual experience before the age of 16 years was 20.0% for females and 14.3% for males. 11.3% of females and 7.7% of males reported ever having had at least one type of physical contact abuse. The students with CSA were with more depression, lower health self-evaluation; more symptoms in somatization, hostility, obsessive and anxiety. More students reported to have experienced sexual intercourse, been drunk, and suicide ideation than unaffected students.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that unwanted child sexual abuse was not uncommon, and associated with poor mental health. The findings highlighted the urgent need for sexual abuse prevention programs and mental health services for victims in China.