Sexual Health Information Sources for College Students: Gender Differences and Associations with Sexual Healthcare Behaviors

Many studies have focused on school-based sexuality education and parent-child communication about sexual health.  Relatively little is known about how other potential sources of sexual health information (SHI) contribute to the sexual health education of young adults.  This study describes how young people access a broad range of potential SHI sources.  In 2011, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,047 students attending two northeastern universities.  An anonymous, web-based survey included questions about SHI sources and sexual healthcare.  One question asked:  “Have any of the following been a source of sexual health information for you?”  Respondents could select answers from a list of 17 potential SHI sources.  Chi-square tests were used to compare male and female responses and to identify associations between SHI sources and specific sexual healthcare behaviors. The mostly commonly reported SHI sources were high school health class (93%), friend (81%), mother (70%), doctor (70%), and book/magazine/pamphlet (68%).  Females were significantly more likely than males to report multiple SHI sources, including mother, other relative, primary care physician, and friend.  Males were significantly more likely to identify their father as an SHI source.  Several sources were associated with HIV/STI testing and using a condom for vaginal sex, but no sources were associated with receiving the HPV vaccine. These results reveal a gender disparity with regards to accessing multiple SHI sources, suggesting the need to provide adolescent and young adult males with additional support to learn about sexual healthcare.  Associations between several SHI sources and sexual healthcare behaviors are worthy of further research.