The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70421

Marjorie R. Sable, DrPH, MSW¹, Lynn Blinn Pike, PhD², Kimberly E Scott³, and Lisa Schwartz, MSPH, MS¹. (1) School of Social Work, University of Missouri-Columbia, 726 Clark Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, (2) Human Development & Family Studies, University of Missouri, 314 Gentry Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, (3) School of Social Work, University of Missouri, 726 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-4470

Policy makers have promoted abstinence education as a means for preventing pregnancy as well as for preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Written surveys undertaken in the fall of 2001 among 337 college freshmen examined attitudes about sexual behaviors and practices. A convenience sample of the students who identified themselves as abstinent participated in focus groups in May 2002 (conducted separately for males and females). Factor analysis of the surveys found that the primary reason for remaining abstinent was fear-based postponement (fear of AIDS and STDs; fear of pregnancy; not ready; waiting until I am older). Other factors included conservative values (wrong to have sex before marriage; religion; boyfriend/girlfriend unwilling) and emotionality and confusion (embarrassed to buy condoms, embarrassed to use birth control; unsure where to get birth control, embarrassed to have sex). Abstinent freshmen (females=100, males=56) agreed with the following statements: Having anal sex is not really having sex (23%); Having oral sex is not really having sex (61%); Engaging in mutual masturbation is not having sex (77%). Differences were not statistically significant by gender. Focus groups confirmed these attitudes. Our findings suggest that college freshmen who identify themselves as abstinent may, in fact, be engaging in practices that place them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session the participant will be able to:
• 1. Identify the factors that influence college students’ decisions to maintain abstinent.
• 2. Recognize the potential risk of STDs among abstinent teens.
• 3. Articulate the social construction of sexuality/sexual behavior among self-identified abstinent teens.
• 4. Identify the gender differences for maintaining abstinence among college students.

Keywords: Sexual Behavior, 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.