Online Program

279816
An examination of oral and anal sex and protective barrier use in college students


Monday, November 4, 2013

Christina Proctor, PhD, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Nancy Moore, MPH, CPH, Department: Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Rachel Powell, MPH, CHES, CPH, Department: Health Promotion & Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Jessie A. Barnett, MPH, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Jessica Legge Muilenburg, PhD, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States and has been linked to oropharyngeal cancer and anal cancer. Research has shown that college students inconsistently use protective barriers when engaging in sexual intercourse. Data for the current study were collected using an anonymous questionnaire administered to 322 college students at a southeastern university. Participants were primarily female (76%) and White (73%). When examining sexual activity, 73% of respondents had received oral sex, 71% had given oral sex, 68% had vaginal sex, and 9% had anal sex. Over half (58%) of students reported condom use the last time they had vaginal sex. Use of protective barriers decreased in students engaging in oral or anal sex. Only 3% of students reported condom or dental dam use the last time they gave oral sex, and less than 1% reported protective barrier use the last time they received oral sex. Fewer than 5% of students had ever used a condom or dental dam when receiving or giving oral sex. In addition, 29% of students reported condom use the last time they engaged in anal sex, and less than 12% reported always using condoms when having anal sex. Future research should be conducted to develop appropriate strategies for college students that focus on increasing barrier use for sexual activity. Due to an increase in orapharyngeal and anal cancers, interventions for college students should stress the importance of using protective barriers for anal and oral sex.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Assess protective barrier use for oral, anal, and vaginal sex among college students at a large southeastern university. Describe sexual behavior of college students at a large southeastern university.

Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year PhD student and I have been a research assistant for the last 4 years on two large grants. I have created surveys, analyzed data, and collaborated on multiple research projects examining risky health behaviors.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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