Seventeen-year review of sexual and contraceptive behavior on a college campus.

OBJECTIVES

We reviewed current sexual and contraceptive behavior of college-age men and women and compared the findings with those of similar studies in 1974 and 1979.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomly selected population questionnaire was provided to students registered in the spring 1991 semester. Of the 1921 survey forms mailed, 772 (40.2%) were returned. The CHIFIT test was used to determine representativeness of sample population to target population.

RESULTS

Proportionately more women than men responded, although the age grouping and academic standing were consistent with the university population. Of the 772 responses, 84.2% were sexually active with a mean age at onset of 17.8 years. Half (50.3%) always used contraception with oral contraceptives as the first choice and condoms second. Sexually transmitted diseases were reported by 19.1%. More than one fourth (27.8%) had been tested for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Fifteen percent (15.1%) reported being forced to have sex, and 50% of these incidents had occurred before age 19.

CONCLUSIONS

On a comparison with findings in 1974 and 1979, more students had participated in sexual activity beginning at a younger age with slightly less use of contraception.