FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF SAFER SEX PRACTICES AMONG COLLEGE-FRESHMEN

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship of knowledge of AIDS, misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer se x practices, perceived susceptibility, and future time perspective to the practice of safer sex behaviors in 352 single, sexually active, co llege freshmen. Data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regression analysis and discriminant analysis. There were too few black females f or analysis. Future time perspective explained the most variance in sa fer sex practices for black males. Knowledge of AIDS, perceived suscep tibility, misconceptions about AIDS, knowledge of safer sex practices, and future time perspective did not explain a significant amount of v ariance in use of safer sex practices for either white males or female s. However, perceived susceptibility and future time perspective diffe rentiated sexually active from nonsexually active white males and fema les. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.