Purpose: La Crosse County Wisconsin reported a 32.6% increase in chlamydia, a 125% increase in gonorrhea, and a 375% increase in syphilis between 2013 and 2015. After completing a scatter plot map of the cases, it was found that the incidence of chlamydia was concentrated to an area between the local university and the technical college where college housing was concentrated. In response, the county health department contacted the student health center at the university to discuss the concern and develop potential educational programming.
Method: A web-based open survey using a convenience sample of 18 to 24 year-olds was conducted to assess the self-efficacy and protective sexual behaviors of patients at a mid-sized Midwestern university campus health center and a community reproductive health. The validated survey tool using an adapted scale, with additional questions to assess demographics, was utilized with accommodations made to language consistent with current slang and contraceptive barriers that are currently available.
Results: Eight-hundred and thirty-three respondents began the survey, 779 completed the majority of questions. Of the 833 respondents, 603 were from the campus health center. The major findings indicated a statistical significance showing that females displayed greater self-efficacy in their ability to have discussions regarding sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, insist a partner use a condom, and in their ability to refuse sexual activity when the partner does not want to use a condom. Self-efficacy also increased as age increased with both males and females in their ability to discuss STI prevention with a 17.6% from 18 to 24 years of age.
Limitations: The major limitation of the study was that over 95% of respondents were Caucasian and less than 22 years of age.
Conclusions: Although females showed greater self-efficacy, the number of respondents that reported they were extremely confident in their abilities was consistently less than 50 percent. Based on this information, the team has determined that education needs to focus on overall improvement in starting the dialogue regarding STI prevention, condom use, and refusal of intercourse with a focus on the youngest cohort of 18 to 19 year olds, both male and female.
Presented at the Wisconsin Public Health Association Annual Conference May 24, 2017