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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Vivienne Carrasco, Department of Public Health, Florida International University, North Campus, 3000 Northeast 151 Street, North Miami, FL 33181-3000, (305) 919-5877, maminga@bellsouth.net, H. Virginia McCoy, PhD, College of Health, Department of Public Health, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151 Street, North Miami, FL 33181, and Mary Jo Trepka, Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control, Miami-Dade County Health Department, 3000 NE 151 Street, North Miami, FL 33181.
Purpose: Public Health graduate students from Florida International University conducted a survey that evaluated the sexual behaviors of Miami-Dade County’s young adults, 18 to 25 years old, in order to ameliorate the rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Methods: The students created a 30-item survey instrument, which included questions addressing demographics, knowledge of STD, personal sexual history, condom use and substance abuse. The survey was administered by teams of two graduate students throughout malls and local “hang-outs” in the County. Results: The data (N=172) showed that the majority of the participants were between the ages of 18 and 20, heterosexual, had some college education, and were African-American. There was an equal distribution of males and females. Analysis of personal sexual history revealed that 92.4% of the participants had vaginal intercourse, 19.0% had their first vaginal intercourse at age 15, 93.3% denied having ever had a STD, and 42.4% claim that they have had 2 to 5 sexual partners in their lifetime. Analysis of STD knowledge revealed that respondents felt they did not know whether Hepatitis A, B, and C and Trichomonas were sexually transmitted. Furthermore, it was found that participants received the majority of their information through local high schools. Analysis of condom use found that 34.0% of the participants use a condom all the time during intercourse. Conclusion: Findings from the study will help the Miami-Dade County Health Department aid young adults in education of STD and condom use.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Miami-Dade County Health Department
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.