Differences in sexual behaviors among unmarried sexually active students at 2- and 4-year colleges.
Sexual risk behaviors are common among college students, but differences between 2- and 4-year students have not been explicitly tested. Survey data from 9,748 unmarried sexually active Minnesota college students (in 2010 or 2011) were used multilevel logistic regression models to test differences in eight high risk sexual health behaviors and outcomes between students attending 2- vs. 4-year colleges. Odds of sex without a condom, sex without reliable birth control, unplanned pregnancy, and STIs were significantly lower among 4-year students than 2-year students, after adjusting for demographic covariates. Health promotion approaches targeted to the needs of 2- or 4-year students may be needed. For example, messaging and outreach efforts encouraging condom use may be especially beneficial for sexual health programs at 2-year colleges.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414.
Marla E
ME
Eisenberg
Katherine A
KA
Lust
Carolyn M
CM
Garcia
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
college health; condoms; sexual health; sexual risk behavior; young adults