Sexually transmitted diseases: An evaluation of the attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and knowledge about STD's among HBCU graduate students

Although studies indicate that the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among African American men and women aged 20-24 years is increasing, there is a paucity of research and literature that examine sexual behaviors, attitudes and beliefs, and STD knowledge of students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). Despite public health efforts to raise awareness of sexually transmitted diseases, there continues to be a gap in knowledge and in the dissemination of information related to STD prevention on college campuses. The Consortium of African American Public Health Programs (CAAPHP) funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted research at four HBCU's with medical schools and public health programs to measure the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of graduate students. Faculty representatives and graduate research assistants (GRA's) at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine conducted research on their campuses over a seven month period. Survey questionnaires which assessed participant's knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, transmission modes, prevention methods, and treatment were administered by GRA's to 548 MD and MPH students. Results indicated that although approximately 50% of students worry about contracting an STD, (1) they continue to engage in sexual behaviors that place them at risk for contracting STD's, (2) they fail to seek prevention information / services from student health centers, and (3) they have a false impression about transmission and treatment of STD's. Research results and implications for poor health outcomes will be explored.