title: Gender differences of reported safer sex behaviors within a random sample of college students.
abstract: This study investigated the frequency of safer sex behaviors with a random sample of sexually active college students (N = 315) at a university in the Northwest. The most frequent safer sex behaviors were discussion of contraceptives (58.6%), being more selective (46.5%), and reducing the number of sexual partners (43.6%). The least frequent safer sex behaviors included discussion of partner's sexual health prior to sexual behavior (26.1%), using condoms or dental dams (24.4%), one sexual partner (22.6%), and abstaining from sex as a safer sex practice (12.3%). The only two behaviors which indicated gender differences were (a) if they were being more selective as a safer sex practice and (b) reducing number of sexual partners as a safer sex practice. Women were more likely to state that they were " almost always" more selective than their male peers. Findings from this study indicated that a substantial number of students reported "risk factors" sexual practices. These findings indicated a need for HIV-prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Catholic University of America, National Catholic School of Social Service, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hawkins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015205:Northwestern United States; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*