GENDER DIFFERENCES OF REPORTED SAFER SEX BEHAVIORS WITHIN A RANDOM SAMPLE OF COLLEGE-STUDENTS

This study investigated the frequency of safer sex behaviors with a ra ndom sample of sexually active college students (N=315) at a universit y in the Northwest. The most frequent safer sex behaviors were discuss ion of contraceptives (58.6%), being more selective (46.5%), and reduc ing the number of sexual partners (43.6%). The least frequent safer se x behaviors included discussion of partner's sexual health prior to se xual behavior (26.1%), using condoms or dental dams (24.4%), one sexua l 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) r educing number of sexual partners as a safer sex practice. Women were more likely to state that they were ''almost always'' more selective t han their male peers. Findings from this study indicated that a substa ntial number of students reported ''at risk'' sexual practices. These findings indicated a need for HIV-prevention efforts.