College students' sexual attitudes and behaviors: implications for sexuality education

This study of sexual attitudes and behaviors of students in a large northeastern community college was undertaken in partial response to an outspoken community group's claims that the sexuality education courses being taught at the school were undermining the morality of its young adults and encouraging early sexual activity. Findings from 1,825 pretest respondents in human sexuality and general health courses indicated that more than 80% of the students had experienced sexual intercourse before they took the courses. In a posttest comparison with 1,456 of the same students, the authors found no significant changes in the number of students who were sexually active or in their attitudes about such issues as abortion and premarital, casual, or oral sex. Statistically significant changes did occur in human sexuality students' attitudes and behaviors about safer sex, having fewer sex partners, and using condoms and spermicides.