17-YEAR REVIEW OF SEXUAL AND CONTRACEPTIVE BEHAVIOR ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed current sexual and contraceptive behavior of c ollege-age men and women and compared the findings with those of simil ar studies in 1974 and 1979. STUDY DESIGN: A randomly selected populat ion questionnaire was provided to students registered in the spring 19 91 semester. Of the 1921 survey forms mailed, 772 (40.2%) were returne d. The CHIFIT test was used to determine representativeness of sample population to target population. RESULTS: Proportionately more women t han men responded, although the age grouping and academic standing wer e 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 reporte d by 19.1%. More than one fourth (27.8%) had been tested for human imm unodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Fifteen per cent (15.1%) reported being forced to have sex, and 50% of these incid ents had occurred before age 19. CONCLUSIONS: On a comparison with fin dings in 1974 and 1979, more students had participated in sexual activ ity beginning at a younger age with slightly less use of contraception .