The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37006

Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim, MD, PhD¹, Amir Qaseem, MD, MHA¹, Sevil Sonmez, PhD², Yorghos Apostolopoulos, PhD³, and Lucy C. Yu, PhD⁴. (1) Department of Health Policy and Administration, Penn State University, 114 Henderson, University Park, State College, PA 16802, 814-865-1472, iai2@psu.edu, (2) Department of Recreation Management and Tourism, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 874905, Tempe, AZ 85287-4905, (3) Department of Sociology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 872101, 321 Social Sciences Building, Tempe, AZ 85287-2101, (4) Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 116 Henderson Building, University Park, PA 16802

Background: There is a need to examine the effect of health education on risky sexual behavior of college students during spring break. This is a special time of breaking loose where a combination of factors may intensify chances of sexually transmitted diseases. Methods: In this descriptive study, we analyzed information from a pre- and a post-spring break surveys administered to 238 students from two US universities during 1999. We considered risky sexual behavior to be penetrative sex with infrequent or no condom use with someone a student just met during spring break. Results: A third of the students reported sex during 1999 spring break. Out of them 57.5% engaged in risky sexual behavior. There were more females than males in the risk group (68.9% vs. 31.1%) compared to an almost equal percentage in the no-risk group. Students in the risk group were also more likely to believe that having sex during spring break is smart (71.4%) and tended to disagree that “fooling around” during spring break might get them sick. Only 20% of the students believed that it is extremely or quite likely to get STD, or HIV if they fool around with someone they just met during spring break. However, those who perceive themselves at higher risk, used condoms more frequently than those who did not. Conclusions: College students should be educated about risks related to unprotected sexual activities during spring break. Innovative educational strategies are needed to effectively reach college students before spring break.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the prevalence of sexual activities during spring break
• Explore the effect of prior sexual experience on behavior during spring break
• Identify the characteristics of students who engage in risky sexual behavior
• Assess if there is any correlation between students' intentions and actions prior to and during spring break

Keywords: Sexual Risk Behavior, Health Education Strategies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.