Assessment of knowledge and practice of high risk sexual behavior at a private Midwestern University

In the United States, an estimated 15.3 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year. Approximately two-thirds of people who acquire STIs in the U.S. are younger than 25 years of age. In addition, approximately 57% (3.1 million) of all pregnancies in the United States are classified as unintended. It is only logical that the consequences of high-risk sexual behavior (unintended pregnancy and contraction of an STI) would most affect those who exhibit high-risk sexual behavior. Thus, one would expect to find high-risk sexual behavior in the same populations that have high rates of STIs and unintended pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to survey freshman students living in the residence halls at a local college to assess their knowledge and the prevalence of high-risk sexual behavior, and give feedback to the participating institution about these results. The survey was designed to answer two questions: (1) What is the current level of high-risk sexual behavior at a small private Midwestern College? (2) What is the current level of knowledge about high-risk sexual behaviors of those surveyed? A total of 38 men and 131 women participated in the survey. Forty-seven percent of men and 41% of women respondents reported having sexual intercourse at least once in their lifetimes. Of those respondents who were sexually active, 67% of men and 54% of women reported that they "always use a condom" with sexual activity. Fifty-six percent of men and 51% of women that were sexually active reported that they were "not at all concerned" about contracting an STI. Twenty-two percent of men and 17% of women answered that they were "not at all concerned" about pregnancy. Three true/false questions about STIs were answered correctly over 95% of the time by those surveyed. Seventy-nine percent of respondents reported never having attended educational opportunities about STIs and safe sexual practices at the college.