title: HPV high risk and protective behaviors: the effects of religious affiliation.
abstract: The majority of Americans identify themselves as belonging to some religious group. There is a mixed body of literature on whether or not religious affiliation has an influence on engaging in risky behaviors among young adults attending college. This study examined associations between religious affiliation, risky sexual practices, substance use, and family structure among a sample of predominantly white college females attending a southeastern university. Given the high risk of acquiring genital human papillomavirus infection as a result of high risk sexual practices, gaining a better understanding of how religious affiliation can be used to promote healthy sexual behaviors is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA. wigfalll@mailbox.sc.edu
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wigfall
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rawls
authors.forename: Neethu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sebastian
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Messersmith
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pirisi-Creek
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spiryda
authors.forename: Edith Marie
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Creek
authors.forename: Saundra H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Glover
mesh_terms: D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013022:South Carolina; D029181:Spirituality; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014495:Universities; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult