Risk perceptions and sexual risk behaviors of students attending a two-year institution: Rationale for increasing health promotion programming

Given the state of the economy, two-year institutions are experiencing increased enrollment, and efforts to address the health needs of this population should be considered. Sexual health research among college students is typically limited to four-year institutions; however, two-year campuses may be prime locations for addressing risk behaviors and subsequent needs of the population. Data were collected via anonymous self-administered paper-and-pencil survey from 224 students attending a two-year college in the southern U.S. The mean age of the sample was 22.5 years and 52.2% were female. When asked about their classmates' risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), 79.3% thought they were at risk compared to perceptions of their own (26.7%) or their partners' (24.2%) risk. Most participants reported being sexually experienced (81.7%) with 78.7% identifying as currently sexually active. Among the sexually active, 50.0% did not use a condom the last time they had sex with a casual partner, 28.5% do not typically use an STI prophylactic, and respondents acknowledged using drugs/alcohol within 3 hours of having sex 29.1% of the time in the past 2 months. When asked which adverse health outcome they want to protect themselves from the most, 65.4% responded, “HIV”, yet only 4% of respondents exhibited sufficient knowledge (>70%) about STI/HIV prevention/control. Students attending two-year institutions are often given little attention regarding STI/HIV programming for a number of reasons (i.e. limited resources, perceptions about risk, reduced access to population, etc…). These data suggest that sexual health promotion programming could benefit this group of students.