The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48898

Sara L. Cole, MA¹, Michael Reece, PhD, MPH¹, and Brian Dodge, MSc². (1) Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, 812-855-0361, sarcole@indiana.edu, (2) Department of Applied Health Science, Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University, 801 E. 7th St., Room 100, Bloomington, IN 47405

Objectives: Although sexual compulsivity has largely been studied among men, it may have important implications for sexual health of women as well, particularly those undergoing intense sexual development, such as those in college. A better understanding of the behavioral characteristics of sexual compulsivity in women may be helpful to the development of more effective sexual health programs for this population. Methods: Data collected from 561 female college students were analyzed to assess the differences in sexual health behaviors between women who had high levels of sexual compulsivity and those with low levels of sexual compulsivity. Results: Women high in sexual compulsivity (n=45) reported significantly more partners for unprotected vaginal (p<.01) and unprotected oral (p<.001) intercourse during the past three months. However, they were less likely to report being in a sexual relationship (p<.001) at the time of the study. Those higher in compulsivity were also more likely to report having sex in a public or semi public place within the three months preceding the study (p<.001). The more highly compulsive participants were also more likely to have sought information about sexually transmitted infections within the past ninety days (p<.01). Conclusions: Among women, sexual compulsivity has associations with a range of behaviors that could impact health. Assessing and responding to sexual compulsivity may result in the development of more effective sexual health programs for women, particularly as a result of more focused attention on the types of behaviors and the settings in which they occur.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the nature of sexual compulsivity among college-aged women. 2)Participants will be able to describe associations between sexual compulsivity and high risk sexual behaviors.
• Participants will be able to describe strategies for assessing and responding to sexual compulsivity among women.

Keywords: Women, Women's Sexuality

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.