Sexual behavior, communication, and chlamydial infections among college women.
The sexual practices, partner communication patterns, and prevalence of chlamydial infection were determined in a sample of college women. Specific inclusion criteria were used to screen 146 participants. The presence of a mucopurulent cervical discharge was the only criterion significantly associated with infection. Only 12% of the sample used condoms alone or in combination with another birth control method, and only 31% of the women discussed with their partner their own or their partner's sexual history. Thirty-eight percent of the sample reported a history of one to four episodes of a sexually transmitted disease, and 21% of the women stated they had had two or more sexual partners within the past 6 months. Health providers, counselors, and women themselves must address this health issue with more assertive behavior and communication skills.
Sheahan
S L
SL
Coons
S J
SJ
Seabolt
J P
JP
Churchill
L
L
Dale
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health