STIs among sexually active female college students: Does sexual orientation or gender of sex partner(s) make a difference?

One hundred seventeen U.S. postsecondary institutions self-selected to participate in the Spring 2006 National College Health Assessment and utilized a random sampling technique. A total of 94,806 surveys were completed by students on these campuses, of which 29,952 were non-international, sexually active, females of traditional college age (18-24 years). Secondary data analyses were conducted to determine STI risk among these women based on their self-identified sexual orientation and gender of sex partner(s) during the past year. Sexually active female college students who identified as bisexual (n=1000) were 1.59 times (95% CI: 1.27-1.99) more likely than heterosexual (n=28,261) and 4.24 times (95% CI: 1.83-9.79) more likely than lesbian (n=271) students to be diagnosed with an STI during the past school year. Female students who had both male and female sex partners during the past year (n=609), regardless of sexual orientation, were 2.99 times (95% CI: 2.38-3.75) more likely than students who only had male sex partners (n=28,728) and 4.04 times (95% CI: 2.57-6.35) more likely than students who only had female sex partners (n=615) during the past year to be diagnosed with an STI. Significant differences in number of sex partners, substance use, and having a gynecological exam (past year) were also reported based on sexual orientation and gender of sex partner(s). Results may be useful to sexual health programs targeting female college students. Additional research is needed to understand elevated risk taking among sexually active female college students who have sex with both sexes.