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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jennifer R. Boyle, MS1, Carrie Murray, MS2, and Bradley O. Boekeloo, MS, PhD1. (1) Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, 1242E HHP Bldg., Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742-2611, (301) 405-2551, boylej@wam.umd.edu, (2) Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, 1241 HHP Bldg., Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742
College students must often discuss sexual risks and negotiate condom use within the context of alcohol and unstable relationships. Students (94 males, 136 females) in elective and required personal health classes were surveyed and responses from those that were sexually active (76 males, 105 females) were analyzed. Multivariate regression models, controlling for age and ethnicity, were used to understand associations among students' alcohol use, type of relationship, discussion of sexual risks and condom use during students' first intercourse with their most recent sexual partner. Among both males and females, drinking before intercourse was related to more anonymity in the relationships (OR=3.67 95% CI 1.16, 11.61; OR=6.92 95% CI 2.37, 20.26 respectively). Men who had relationships with higher anonymity (OR=3.22 95% CI 1.05, 9.56) and women who drank before intercourse (OR=5.31 95% CI 1.66, 17.03) were less likely to have discussed sexual risks with their partners. Males and females who did not discuss sexual risks were less likely (OR=9.65 95% CI 1.44, 64.84; OR=4.56 95% CI 1.63,12.77 respectively) to have used a condom than students who discussed. Alcohol use and relationship type were unrelated to condom use when controlling for discussion. These results suggest that among college students, alcohol use may lead to riskier sexual relationships. Alcohol use and anonymous relationships decrease discussion about sexual risks, a predictor of condom use. These malleable risk factor relationships provide multiple opportunities for change and risk reduction.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: College Students, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.