Do behaviorally bisexual male college students engage in greater sexual risks than their peers? Findings from a national study

Men who have sex with men and women (MSMW) represent a unique population in terms of STI/HIV transmission. Through their sexual behaviors, they “bridge” two populations—women and men who have sex with men (MSM)—with disparate rates of STI/HIV. Research reveals that adult MSMW have a greater number of sex partners and are more likely than MSM and men who have sex with women (MSW) to have a recent STI. Evidence from non-national samples suggests these patterns may be more pronounced in college students. The current study utilized data from the Fall 2008 American College Health Association's National College Health Assessment to determine differences in sexual behaviors and self-reported STI history between 3,537 MSMW, MSM, and MSW. Chi-square analyses were conducted, and standardized residuals (±1.96) were used to determine which cells contributed to the chi-square relationship in the event of statistically significant omnibus tests. MSMW, compared to MSM and MSW, were more likely to have ever had anal sex (73.7%, 71.0%, and 27.9%, respectively) and to have had four or more sex partners within the previous school year (39.5%, 26.1%, and 17.1%, respectively). Despite the higher prevalence of these potentially risky sexual behaviors, MSMW were no more likely to have ever had an HIV test, or to have recently tested positive for a STI. More research is needed to determine whether or not the riskier behaviors of MSMW students translate into worse sexual health outcomes.