STUDENT AWARENESS OF STD RESOURCES
Undergraduate Students’ Awareness of on Campus Resources for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Morgan DiSipio
HLT00327: Consumer Health Decisions
Dr. JoAnne Bullard
February 27th, 2015
Rowan University
INTRODUCTION
“University students as young adult population are reportedly at higher risk for HIV infection than the general population” (Al-Naggar & Al-Jashamy, 2011). In recent years, there has been an increase of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), specifically within University students. Although there is a wealth of information regarding STDs in today’s society, the prevalence of such diseases remains a serious problem. According to the Center for Disease Control, the majority of the nineteen million new STD cases each year are found in young adults aged fifteen to twenty-four (Healthypeople.gov, 2014). Such staggering numbers clearly influence the notion that this problem needs to be better addressed. The reason that this group is being so majorly affected is due to multiple factors. From this list of factors, one that stands out is sexual networks, which “refer to groups of people who can be considered “linked” by sequential or concurrent sexual partners” (Healthypeople.gov, 2014). Another factor that largely impacts college aged adults is unsafe sexual practices. These factors contribute to rapid spread of STDs. It is extremely important to have adequate knowledge of STD risks, prevention, and proper treatment. This increasing necessity influenced universities to reevaluate their STD resources available to students.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1. What STD resources are currently available for Rowan University students and do Rowan University students take advantage of these resources?
2. Are both male and female Rowan University students aware of the STD resources available on their campus?
3. Do both male and female Rowan University students believe they are provided with adequate knowledge of STD risks, prevention, and proper resources?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROBLEM:
STDs are becoming more prevalent in college students because of different factors, one of which is lack of education and resources. Many of these diseases and sexually transmitted infections can lead to serious health problems, and even death if left untreated. My research will prove the lack of understanding young adults have toward this subject as well as inform students of available resources. Sexually transmitted diseases are a serious problem across college campuses because of the continuous sexual networking. The problem will not be solved without educating the population. Since the college age students make up almost half of the new STD cases each year, it is essential that this population is properly educated and can begin the decline of STD prevalence.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Al-Naggar and Al-Jashamy (2011) found that of 26 college students interviewed, only 46% of the participants considered sexual intercourse as a common mode of STD transmission. This lack of knowledge supports the notion that STDs are becoming more common in this population partially from ignorance. Because of this growing issue, Healthy People 2020 has addressed STDs in young adults as one of their leading health indicators (Dunne, McIntosh & Mallory, 2014). According to Healthy People 2020, their goal is to “Promote healthy sexual behaviors, strengthen community capacity, and increase access to quality services to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their complications.” It is important to recognize that a government program is recognizing the STD problem in today’s society. Many of these diseases can lead to serious health problems, some of them being cancer, problems with reproductive health and organs, and fetal and prenatal risks (Healthypeople.gov, 2014). The young adult population increases their risk for sexually transmitted diseases because they are the most likely age group to partake in risky sexual behavior including sex while being under the influence and sex without a condom (Calderia, Singer & O-Grady, 2012). A large part of the risky sexual behavior seen in college students is the result of alcohol. Orchowski, Mastroleo, and Borsari (2013) conducted research primarily focusing on the correlation between alcohol and sex in college students. “Alcohol use in college students significantly increases the risk for experiencing a number of sexual consequences. More specifically, alcohol use increases the likelihood that an individual fails to use a condom during sexual activity engages in sexual activity with new partners, or engages in unplanned sexual activity.” These unsafe sexual practices can easily result in STD spreading. Calderia, Singer and O’Grady (2012) found that only 24% of students surveyed were tested for HIV at least once in their lives. The research also stated that the Centers for Disease Control estimates around 66% of young adults, age 18-24 have never been tested. These numbers are alarming, even more so because “of the 1.1 million individuals living with HIV in the United States, one in five does not know they are infected” (Calderia, Singer, & O’Grady, 2012). By having such a large population of people unaware of their infection, they run the risk of infecting even more people.
Due to the increasing number of STD cases in college students, many universities have reevaluated their sexual education, prevention, and treatment methods. Universities are beginning to implement sexual education into courses, as well as orientation and recreational activities. Johnson and Johnson (2013) supported the importance of support from student’s surroundings. “Therefore, while social support may protect against engagement in RSB, a lack of social support may increase the likelihood of engaging in RSB.” (RSB stands for risky sexual behavior). Providing the young adults with ample support can decrease their involvement in unsafe sexual practiced which would consequently, decrease their risk of contracting and spreading STDs.
METHODS
For this study, the target demographic was college students, age 18-24 specifically. Both male and female subjects answered the survey, as to provide a sample that represents the entire population. Twenty surveys were handed out to Rowan University students of all grade levels and majors. Since the students in the Health Promotion and Fitness Management major may have a better understand of sexually transmitted diseases than students in other majors, because of this, students in this major were avoided.
Questions one and two focused on the demographic of the population. Question three focuses on the resources already offered by Rowan University. By asking students to list the resources they are aware of, it makes it so they could not just circle yes. This question forced the participants to prove their knowledge of Rowan University STD resources. It also showed which resources were most recognized around campus. Questions four and five observed the students’ opinion of Rowan resources and question six observed the students perceived awareness of STDs. All these questions as well as researching Rowan University’s STD resources answered the research questions. Finally, the surveys were handed out throughout the week of March 30th, 2015. The week of March 30th, 2015 was used to gather surveys as well as research the existing STD resources at Rowan University.
1. Are you male or female? (Circle one) MALE FEMALE
2. How old are you? (Circle one) younger than 18 18-24 older than 24
3. Do you know of any sexually transmitted disease resources available on campus?
YES NO
If so, which ones?
4. Do you think Rowan needs to publicize these resources more than they do?
YES NO
5. Do you think Rowan offers enough STD resources? YES NO
6. Do you think STDs are a serious problem at Rowan? YES NO
RESULTS
Twenty surveys were answered.
MALE Participants: 10 FEMALE Participants: 10
Participants Younger than 18: 0 Participants 18-24: 20
Participants Older than 24: 0
Of the twenty participants, 60% reported knowing of STD resources available at Rowan University, 85% reported they think Rowan University needs to publicize their available resources better, 85% believe Rowan does not offer enough STD resources, and 60% believe that STDs are a serious problem at Rowan University.
Chart 1: Shows the number of male (blue) and female (red) participants who know of STD resources offered at Rowan University, think Rowan University needs to publicize their resources better, think Rowan offers enough STD resources, and think STDs are a serious problem at Rowan University.
Twelve participants reported knowing of STD resources at Rowan University. From these twelve participants, “Attending the Wellness Center” was listed eight times (Three from males, five from females). The only other resource listed was “Free Condom Friday” which was listed five times (once from a male, four from females).
Sexually transmitted diseases are becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society. Especially in college aged young adults, age 18-24. The large discrepancy between the perceived seriousness of STDs between males and females is alarming. The amount of females who think STDs are a serious problem at Rowan University triples the amount of male participants. Also, a large majority of the surveyed students think Rowan University needs to publicize their STD resource better as well as acquire more resources.
Rowan University offers quite a few different STD resources. A few students reported knowing about an event called “Free Condom Friday” where students can go into the student health center on Fridays and pick a free condom out of a basket. Students also reported knowing they could go to the student health center, which is correct. Students can make an appointment and go to the student health center for address any concerns. Rowan University also offers a plethora of online resources on their “Student Health Services” webpage. The webpage provides tips for safe sex, links to websites for STD information and STD testing, and contraceptive information. These resources educate students on safe practices to prevent STD spread. The resources are freely accessible and many of the testing clinics are also free or low cost. Rowan University’s “Student Health Services” supplies its users with local STD clinics and sites which are beneficial for students on campus that have concerns. Rowan also encourages safe practices with alcohol which is valuable for safer sex practices.
DISCUSSION
Sexually transmitted diseases are a growing problem across the college student population. A large contribution to the staggering increase in STD prevalence in college students is the sexual networking. Lack of monogamy in relationships leads to long webs of sexual connections, within these webs is rapid spread of STDs. Although there is a nationwide increase in STDs, specifically in college students, just 60% of Rowan University students believe STDs are a serious problem. This statistic shows a lack of education on the topic of STDs for college students. Students need more education on the growing epidemic and how to stay safe. If students do not perceive a serious problem, they are less likely to take preventative measures. Rowan offers many different resources to educate its students on STDs, however only 60% of the participants claimed knowing about these resources. Of the numerous resources, students only listed two different resources. It is evident that Rowan University needs to invest more time in publicizing the resources available. A vast majority of the participants did not think that Rowan provides enough resources, but perhaps the participants think this because they are lacking knowledge on the available resources Rowan offers.
The most stunning results from this study are the discrepancies between male and female participants. Male participants were found to know less about resources offered as well as not think STDs are a serious problem. Males are just as susceptible to STDs as females and should have the same education on STDs. Males also need to practice safe sex, yet it is evident they are not as concerned about sexually transmitted diseases as females may be. The cause of this is currently undetermined. Further research is necessary to define the causes of male and female differences.
The findings of this study were similar to that of previous literature. Calderia, Singer and O’Grady (2012) found low numbers of college ages adults were ever tested for STDs. If young adults had more education on STD prevalence they may be more likely to get tested as well as practice safe sex.
In a replication of this study, it would be helpful to know the student’s grade level. There may be differences between freshmen and seniors in their knowledge of STD resources at Rowan as well as STDs in general. Also, a question should be added about what STD education the participants have received thus far. The females of this study may have had more extensive STD background than the male participants which could have skewed the results in their favor. Also, a larger sample size should be observed. With more participants, the sample could be more representative of the entire Rowan University population. Finally, an interview with wellness center personnel, along with Rowan University executives on their opinion of sexually transmitted disease prevalence would add another component to the research.
REFERENCES
Al-Naggar, R., & Al-Jashamy, K. (2011). Perception of undergraduate university students towards sexually transmitted diseases: A qualitative study.Journal of Men's Health,S87-S90. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
Caldeira, K. M., Singer, B. J., O'Grady, K. E., Vincent, K. B., & Arria, A. M. (2012). HIV testing in recent college students: Prevalence and correlates.AIDS Education and Prevention,24(4), 363-76. doi:http://dx.doi.org/101521aeap2012244363
Dunne, A., McIntosh, J., & Mallory, D. (2014). Adolescents, sexually transmitted infections, and education using social media: A review of the literature.The Journal for Nurse Practitioners,10(6), 401-408. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.03.020
Johnson, N., & Johnson, D. (2013). Factors Influencing the Relationship Between Sexual Trauma and Risky Sexual Behavior in College Students.Journal of Interpersonal Violence,2315-2331.
Orchowski, L., Mastroleo, N., & Borsari, B. (2013). Correlates of alcohol-related regretted sex among college students.Psychology of Addictive Behaviors,782-790. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/sexually-transmitted-diseases