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 “at risk” sexual practices. These findings indicated a need for HIV-prevention efforts.