ERIC Number: EJ1095433
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Sexual Behaviors of College Freshmen and the Need for University-Based Education
Wyatt, Tammy; Oswalt, Sara
College Student Journal, v48 n4 p603-612 Win 2014
Problem: College life offers several challenges for students, particularly freshmen who often find themselves in an unsupervised environment with multiple opportunities to engage in a variety of risk behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the sexual behaviors of college freshmen enrolled at a U.S. Hispanic Serving Institution. Method: Self-identified freshmen over the age of 18 years completed an online survey examining sexual health issues. Participants (n = 433) were predominantly female (61.0%), 18 years of age (78.1%), and identified as White (39.3%) or Hispanic (36.0%). Results indicate moderate levels of oral and vaginal sexual activity and low levels of safer sex practices. While rates of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections were low among this group, so were rates of ever having been tested for HIV. Several significant differences were found based upon gender, ethnicity, and relationship status. Conclusion: Universities and colleges can use these results to better develop and implement culturally and gender sensitive sexuality education programs for college freshmen.
Descriptors: Sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Risk, Health Behavior, College Freshmen, Hispanic American Students, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Institutional Characteristics, Culturally Relevant Education, Gender Differences, Ethnicity, Interpersonal Relationship, Diagnostic Tests, Sex Education, Program Development, Online Surveys, Student Attitudes, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A