The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43300

Leslie Pickett, BS, HPERS, Mississippi State University, Box 6186, Mississippi State, MS 39762 and Stuart Usdan, PhD, CHES, Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, Box 6186, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 662-325-9281, lnp3@ra.msstate.edu.

High-risk sexual behaviors as a result of alcohol use have been reported by both male and female college students across the nation. Research has shown that the majority of sexual assaults occurring on campuses are related to the inappropriate use of alcohol (Sawyer, 1997). In an effort to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors as a result of alcohol use among first year students, peer-led alcohol education in residence halls has been implemented as part of a Social Norms program. This study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, aims to reduce high-risk drinking among first-year students. Following a workshop on alcohol education programming, each resident assistant (RA) was given information packets containing material on alcohol and its associated consequences. A baseline assessment was conducted at a large, public Southern University consisting of approximately 1,800 freshmen with over 90% living in residence halls. The Student Health Practices Study (SHPS), a brief, paper and pencil survey, was administered to freshman students living in residence halls. A total of 248 students completed the survey (54% male; 61.6% Caucasian). Approximately 44.6% were currently sexually active, with 17.3% reporting multiple sex partners during the past 6 months. Also, 25% indicated they drink at least once a week, and 17.6% engaged in sexual activity they otherwise would not have as a result of their alcohol use. After the follow-up SHPS administration in the Spring, 2002, results will be discussed on the immediate impact of the alcohol education programming on sexual behaviors and alcohol use

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