Gender differences of reported safer sex behaviors within a random sample of college students
W E Hawkins1, C Gray, W E Hawkins
1Catholic University of America, National Catholic School of Social Service, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
Abstract:
This study investigated the frequency of safer sex behaviors with a random sample of sexually active college students (N = 315) at a university in the Northwest. The most frequent safer sex behaviors were discussion of contraceptives (58.6%), being more selective (46.5%), and reducing the number of sexual partners (43.6%). The least frequent safer sex behaviors included discussion of partner's sexual health prior to sexual behavior (26.1%), using condoms or dental dams (24.4%), one sexual partner (22.6%), and abstaining from sex as a safer sex practice (12.3%). The only two behaviors which indicated gender differences were (a) if they were being more selective as a safer sex practice and (b) reducing number of sexual partners as a safer sex practice. Women were more likely to state that they were " almost always" more selective than their male peers. Findings from this study indicated that a substantial number of students reported "risk factors" sexual practices. These findings indicated a need for HIV-prevention efforts.
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