title: Sexual behavior, communication, and chlamydial infections among college women.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sheahan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Coons
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Seabolt
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Churchill
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dale
mesh_terms: 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