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Running head: STD PREVALENCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO USE

PROTECTION VS UNPROTECTED SEX

STD PREVALENCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO USE PROTECTION VERSUS

UNPROTECTED SEX
Nancy Cuevas, Michelle Holguin, Griselda Linares, Marwa Mohamed and Aimme Rosete
California State University, San Bernardino

Abstract
College is a place where young adults begin to venture, which includes sexual risky
behaviors. STDs are quite common among college students. Condom use can
reduce the risk of contracting an STD. The purpose of this study is to identify the
prevalence among college students who use condoms, versus those who do not use
condoms during sexual intercourse. The study further identifies risk factors such as
alcohol intoxication that may lead to unprotected sex. The study design utilized was
qualitative. An anonymous survey with ten questions in regards to sexual behavior

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was created through a secure link and emailed to California State University, San
Bernardino students. Twenty-four responses were submitted and analyzed. The
results showed that 65% of the respondents have engaged in sexual intercourse.
73.4% claimed that they have never contracted an STD, and 34.7% have never
been checked for an STD. 56.25% of the respondents said they used a condom
while intoxicated. The study had a low response rate and does not clearly represent
the college student population. Further research is needed to determine new risk
factors.
keywords: STDs, college students, alcohol, sexual risk behavior, condom use

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STD PREVALENCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO USE PROTECTION VERSUS
UNPROTECTED SEX
Sexual risk behaviors are highly common among college students. Although many public
health educators promote safe sex, many college students still engage in risky sexual behaviors
that includes using alcohol prior to sexual activity, having numerous partners, not discussing safe
sex options with their partner, or failing to use condoms properly prior to sexual intercourse.
According to a recent study released by The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada,
they found that almost 51% of college students are not using condoms (Berman, 2013). Sexual
transmitted diseases are very common in college students. Some may not even know they have
an STD and can pass it to another person if they are not using protection. According to Stanford
Universitys Sexual health Peer Resources Center, 1 in 4 college students have an STD (Berman,
2013) Younger people are at a greater risk for STDs, and this could be because many students do
not practice safe sex. Although some college students may use protection, failure in using
condoms properly could also be an increase of getting an STD, STI or HIV(Fehr, Vidourek &
King, 2015) . According to the article Intra- and Inter-personal Barriers to condom use among
college students by Fehr, Vidourek, and King (2015), young adults that are from the ages 20-24
years old make up for almost 75% of all HIV diagnoses (CDC, 2011). This study focuses on
college students who practice safe sex versus those who do not. It will also focus on identifying
the risk factors among college students that may lead to unprotected sex. The main objective of
this study is to identify if STDs are prevalent among college students who practice safe sex
versus those who do not use any form of protection along with the risk factors that may lead
them to unprotected sex. It is important to know the risk factors that may lead college students to
having unprotected sex because sexually transmitted diseases are increasing among college

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students. This study will advance our knowledge in identifying what risk factors may lead to
unprotected sex among college students and help health professionals come up with different
interventions to increase the use of protection and decrease STDs within college students.
Methods and Materials
Study design
In order to attain proper results on our research, we decided to use a qualitative study by
surveying a group of college students in order to attain data to support our research. We
determined that our research subjects would be current college students attending California
State University, San Bernardino within the ages of 18 to 24. By using current students, we could
get a more accurate representation of what the STD dilemma currently is, and not be
misinterpreted by having other eras involved.
Survey
To accommodate our research subjects and in return have more participation in our study,
we decided to create survey which would be easy to attain and would remain anonymous in order
to maintain their confidentiality. Within that survey, the research subjects were asked ten
questions in order to get a better idea of their sexual behavior and consequences, if any. The
survey questions were set up to determine their eligibility to be used as a subject by asking f they
were ever sexually active, if not, they would be cleared out of the results in order to not have an
effect on our results. If they were eligible, meaning they were sexually active, they answered the
following survey questions in order to help our research:
How many sexual partners have you had?
When engaging in sexual intercourse, how often do you use condoms?
Does condom usage while engaging in sexual intercourse depend on partner type?
Do you always use condoms when youre under the influence of alcohol?
I dont use condoms because it reduces sexual pleasure.
I am confident that I can open the pack of condoms without tears or damage each
time I engaged in sexual intercourse.
Methods

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Our method of research chosen for this experiment was emailing a one-time survey to
individuals currently attending CSUSB and that had attended one of our classes in the past; this
allowed us to facilitate and engage the most subjects as possible and have somewhat of a control
as to how many individuals received the email, and how many responses to expect. Overall, we
received a total of 24 anonymous responses to the emailed survey. The results we received were
given in percentages as to how many subjects answered with that answer and comparisons
between genders; this allowed us to maintain the confidentiality of the subjects, but also receive
the data we needed in order to complete our research. Once that data was received, we analyzed
and compared the differences within the percentages to observe any correlations between their
sexual behaviors and STDs.
Results
The survey that was given out to our population consisted of 24 respondents in total, 15
of them being females and 9 males. The results that we received as a whole, without comparing
females and males were compatible with the questions we had asked. Most of the respondents
have had some type of sexual intercourse so far, as 65% answered yes and 34.7% answered no.
As the questions went more into detail the participants who did have a history of sexual
intercourse answered said that they only have had 1-3 partners (56%), and sometimes use
condoms (47%). The individuals that chose to answer the question regarding if they have had
been diagnosed with an STD 73.4% answered no, and 23.5% said they have not checked
themselves. According to the results in this survey, using a condom depends on the individuals
partner 41% of the time. In addition, although hypothetically many people would think that the
usage of condoms might decrease due to the level of pleasure or intoxication, the respondents
answered that it does not affect their decision of using condoms. The percentage of condom
usage disregarding sexual pleasure level was 64.11%, and always using condoms regardless of

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being intoxicated was 56.25%. These results show that factors that are believed to impact the
decision of using condoms do not affect everyone. In comparison to female and male answers in
this survey more men than women answered yes to having sex , 75% (men) and 60% (women).
In regards to how many sexual partners they have had 42.86 percentages of men have had 7 to 9
partners and 77.7% of women only 1 to 3 partners. The condom usage between females and
males were no different as 50% of them answered sometimes under that category. As well
being diagnosed with an STD both sexes marked no, and never being checked 20% female,
and 28% male. Both sexes disagreed when asked if their condom usage decreased because of
sexual pleasure, females 70% and males 57.1%. Alcohol consumption slightly affect the results
as half of the men answered sometimes and the other half always as for the women 22.2%
answered sometimes and 66.6% always. More than half answered confident in regards to being
sure that they are able to open a pack of condoms without damage, 60% females and 57.14%
girls; although males were less confident as they answered 28.57% slightly confident in
comparison to 10% of females.
Discussion
It is known that STDs are highly common among college students and with the results we
found through various research articles and our own study we have been able to support the
objectives of the study. Our objectives are to identify if STDs are prevalent among college
students who practice safe sex versus those who do not use any form of protection; as well as to
identify the risk factors among college students that can lead to unprotected sex. In the article
Association with Students Sexual Health Behaviors the American College Health Association
conducted an assessment similar to the assessment we provided to our targeted population. The
results showed that 27% of sexually active students reported never using condoms. For our
assessment 11% reported never using condoms and 47% reported sometimes. Although, 11% is a

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great difference from the 27% the number of participants vary. In the survey the association
conducted their study with incentives such as drawings for gift certificates. The incentives to
complete the survey leads to an increase in participants and is going to have an impact on the
results conducted. If this study could be conducted again it would be sent out to a wider audience
in hopes to receive more participants. The low response to the survey was a limitation to the
study. Although there are many risk factors such as alcohol and drug abuse that can lead to
unprotected sex an individual's perceptions and beliefs about STIs and life experiences can also
lead to unprotected sex. With this new understanding it is important to keep these findings in
mind for future research and potential survey questions. Also, other topics that were discussed as
risk factors among college students, where the relationship dynamics between college students.
In the study conducted they explain that a person who perceives to have less power is less likely
to implement condom use. In our study our question does not imply power but asks if condom
usage while engaging in sexual intercourse depend on partner? In our responses 41% responded
yes, 35% responded no and 23% responded sometimes. The responses are similar in which the
person is more likely to rely on the sexual partner. While doing research to support our objectives
new information surfaced and guided us to potential new research.

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References
Berman, L. (2013). Stds in college: what students need to know. Everyday Health. Retrieved
from http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/dr-laura-berman-on-love-and-sex/stds-incollege-what-students-need-to-know/
CDC. (2015). College health and safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/family/college/
Fehr, S. K., Vidourek, R.A., & King, K. A., (2015). Intra- and inter-personal barriers to condom
use among college students: a review of the literature. Sexuality & Culture, 19, 103-121.
DOI 10.1007/s12119-014-9249-y