Condom Use in College: Students' Self-Protection against HIV. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.

This study examined condom use by college students and factors associated with consistent condom use. It is based on a survey of 212 sexually active residential students at a major eastern doctoral granting institution conducted in the spring of 1994. The survey found that a substantial number of sexually active students were engaging in behaviors that put them at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It found that nearly two-thirds did not consistently use condoms during sex, and that an equivalent percentage reported consuming alcohol or using drugs in situations potentially leading to sexual intercourse. These results were considered surprising in view of the high knowledge level the students displayed in regard the causes of HIV. Students also reported low self-perceptions of risk for contacting HIV. The study also found that race, gender, parental education level, and family income were not related to condom usage. It concludes that while college students have a high awareness level of the causes of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), they are not likely to adopt HIV-safe behaviors. The implications for HIV/AIDS education programs are discussed. (Contains 39 references.) (MDM)