Sexual health equity among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white U.S. undergraduate college students

An overarching goal outlined in Healthy People 2010 and Healthy Campus 2010 is to eliminate health disparities among different segments of the U.S. population. Little is known about sexual health disparities in U.S. college students, especially between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. We examined such disparities utilizing data from 14,469 non-married undergraduates (aged 18-24 years), who responded to the Fall 2008 American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment. Chi-square cross-tabulations and independent samples t-tests were conducted to assess differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white students. In reports regarding last vaginal sex, a greater proportion of Hispanic students reported that they used no method to prevent pregnancy (25.6%) and fewer Hispanic students (52.8%) reported that they used birth control pills, compared with their non-Hispanic white peers (12.0% and 68%, respectively). However, use of emergency contraception in the previous year was greater for Hispanic (22.2%) compared with non-Hispanic white (16.2%) students. Proportionately, almost four times as many Hispanic (4%) vs. non-Hispanic white students (1.3%) reported an unintentional pregnancy within the last school year. Hispanic students were, however, more likely to report HIV testing (21.9%) than were non-Hispanic white students (18.1%). We found no differences in lifetime rates of sexual behavior (oral, vaginal, and anal sex) or sexually transmitted infection history. When results were compared within gender groups, additional sexual health disparities were found. We conclude that substantial sexual health disparities exist between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white U.S. college students. Implications for college health and future directions for research are presented.