Private MD News

College freshman show decreased condom use

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A young woman's freshman year of college may be a time during which her risk of receiving a positive STD test increases. New research indicates that individuals are much less likely to use a condom during this period.

The findings, which were published in the Journal of Sex Research, are based on surveys of 279 women who were going through their freshman year during the study period. The Miriam Hospital researchers who conducted the study found that condom use dropped dramatically during a woman's first year at college.

Furthermore, the study revealed that college women who engaged in binge drinking, had lower grade point averages and came from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were the least likely to use condoms during their first year at college.

The researchers said the findings underscore the importance of encouraging female college students to insist on their partner using a condom during sex. This may reduce their chances of receiving a positive STD test.

"College women often engage in serial monogamy, resulting in multiple partners during the college years, and they are often unaware of their partners' risk. This makes continued condom use important for women's health," said lead researcher Jennifer Walsh.