High-Risk STD/HIV Behavior Among College Students

The current sexually transmitted disease (STD) epidemic in adolescents has led to concern about the potential for spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 1988, a total of 5514 students in first-year community college and university classrooms across Canada were surveyed to assess STD/HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and risk behavior. The students' mean age was 19.7 years; the male-to-female ratio was 1:1.4. Students knew more about HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome than other STDs. Of the 74.3% of the men and 68.9% of the women who were coitally active, 14.3% of the men and 18.6% of the women had participated in anal intercourse and 5.5% reported a previous STD. Only 24.8% of the men and 15.6% of the women always used a condom during sexual intercourse. Among the 21.3% of the men and 8.6% of the women with 10 or more partners, regular condom use was reported in only 21% and 7.5%, respectively. In this subgroup, anal intercourse was practiced by 26.9% of the men and 34.8% of the women, and previous STD was reported by 10.6% and 24.2%, respectively. Factors associated with not using a condom included number of sexual partners, embarrassment about condom purchase, difficulty discussing condom use with a partner, use of oral contraceptives, insufficient knowledge of HIV/STDs, and the belief that condoms interfere with sexual pleasure. These factors are potentially amenable to change. Effective, behaviorally focused educational programs are needed to improve condom use and reduce STD/HIV risk.