Sexual Behaviors of College Freshmen and the Need for University-Based Education.

College life offers several challenges for students, particularly freshmen who often find themselves in an unsupervised environment with multiple opportunities to engage in a variety of risk behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the sexual behaviors of college freshmen enrolled at a U.S. Hispanic Serving Institution.  Self-identified freshmen over the age of 18 years completed an online survey examining sexual health issues. Participants (n = 433) were predominantly female (61.0%), 18 years of age (78.1%), and identified as White (39.3%) or Hispanic (36.0%). Results indicate moderate levels of oral and vaginal sexual activity and low levels of safer sex practices. While rates of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections were low among this group, so were rates of ever having been tested for HIV. Several significant differences were found based upon gender, ethnicity, and relationship status.  Universities and colleges can use these results to better develop and implement culturally and gender sensitive sexuality education programs for college freshmen.  Emerging adulthood, a developmental period typically occurring among 18 to 25 year olds in industrialized societies, is a time of great change (Arnett, 2000) which for many includes the transition from high school to college. College life is a socially recognized time of self-exploration and identity development. During the transition from high school to college, students often seek to establish independence from parents and others. As a result, college life offers several challenges for students, particularly freshmen. College freshmen may experience stress when confronted with new peer established social norms and behavioral expectations. Similarly, due to the numerous opportunities for academic and social engagement on campus, college students, including freshmen, often try to include all activities in their schedule (Shatkin & NYU Child Study Center staff, n.d.). This act of "burning the candle at both ends" can lead to negative academic and social outcomes. Moreover, changes in sexual values over the first year of college often take place, with peers and dating partners increasing and parents decreasing as sources of sexual values (Morgan & Zurbriggen, 2012). College freshmen often find themselves in an unsupervised environment with multiple opportunities to engage in a variety of behavioral risks (Taylor, McCarthy, Herbert^ Smith, 2009). During the first year of college decreased adult supervision, greater personal freedom, and increased availability and opportunity contribute to increases in high risk behaviors including alcohol use, marijuana use, and sexual behaviors (Fromme, Corbin, & Kruse, 2008). The increased opportunities for college freshmen to engage in sexual activity while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sexual activity with multiple partners, sexual activity without the use of barrier methods, and causal sexual activity or hooking-up place them at greater risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy (Fielder & Carey, 2010). Emerging adults, including college students, are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections due to a combination of behavioral, biological, and cultural factors. In the US, approximately 20 million STIs occur annually with nearly half occurring among 15-24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013). Young people aged 13-24 years accounted for 26% of new HIV infections during 2009 with most infected by sexual contact (CDC, 2012a). Additionally, it is estimated that 45% of herpes infections, 70% of gonorrhea infections, 63% of chlamydia infections, and 49% of HPV infections occur among youth between the ages of 15-24 years (CDC, 2013). Racial minorities in the US face significant disparities across HIV/ AIDS and other STIs. …

Field of study: Education