Sexually transmitted infection
risk perception among female college students
Introduction
Sexually transmitted infections are diseases that have a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual behavior, including vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. Sexual transmitted infections include chlamydia, herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV and so on. STI can affect women’s sexual and reproductive health. Preventions, such as using condoms during sexual activities can reduce the risks of getting infected to such diseases.
Summary
In this article, the scientists studied the sexually transmitted infections among young adult women. The purpose of the study was to describe perceived risk for sexually transmitted infections and sexual risk behavior among sexually active female college students. The method the scientists used was to give participants online and anonymous survey. And then, the scientists collected data from 458 sexually active female students between age 18-24. Those female students are from private and suburban university in the mid-Atlantic region. As a conclusion, most female students in this study had low levels condom used, most of them did not consider themselves as risk individuals to get sexually transmitted infections. For female students who are just have one sex partner, it is common for them not using condoms and not perceiving the risks. Nurses and other educators should be aware of risk perceptions and develop effective prevention programs. (Hickey, M. T. and Cleland, C. 2013)