Nongonococcal urethritis incidence has fallen at one university health service: are "safer sex" messages being heard?

Article Abstract:

Many programs teaching safe sex practices have been implemented on college campuses, even though very few cases of human immunodeficiency virus infections (HIV) have been reported there. It is not clear whether these sex-educational messages are actually changing the sexual behavior of college students. Many studies on sexual behavior may not be accurate because they rely on self-assessments, which can be unreliable. The primary focus of safe sex practices is to limit anonymous or promiscuous sexual activity and increase the use of condoms. In an effort to assess whether condoms are actually being used, the incidence of another, more easily monitored sexually transmitted disease (STD) can be studied. Nongonococcal urethritis (NGU), an infection of the urethra (the tube leading from the bladder), is caused by the sexually transmitted bacteria chlamydia. The incidence of NGU was studied in male students attending four major university health services between 1986 and 1988, to see if safe sex messages were being heard. During this time, a decreased incidence of NGU was seen. This decrease occurred during a period of intense educational efforts to increase awareness about HIV infections. Although it is possible that this decrease in NGU infections was random, the study was performed over four semesters, making that conclusion unlikely. Rather, the drop in NGU infection was most likely the result of a change in sexual behavior. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Statistics, Demographic aspects, Study and teaching, College students, Chlamydia infections, Urethritis, Nongonococcal, Nongonococcal urethritis

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Sexually transmitted disease and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): changes in risk reduction behaviors among young adults

Article Abstract:

At present, the only effective way of reducing the risk of contracting the AIDS virus is to modify risky behavior. In an effort to determine whether sexual behaviors among young unmarried heterosexuals have changed in response to concerns about AIDS, two sets of 182 college undergraduates were surveyed. The first group was questioned in the winter of 1986, and the second in the fall of 1987. The results showed an increasing concern about AIDS and sexually transmitted disease in general. Although self-reported use of condoms increased over the study period, the increased concern was not reflected in overall sexual behavior. Condom usage increased from 18 to 33 percent, but two-thirds of those surveyed still do not insist upon the use of condoms. A full 44 percent of those surveyed in 1987 indicated that they have not modified their behavior out of concern for AIDS. There were no significant differences observed over the study period in the number of sexual partners, the incidence of fellatio or anal intercourse, or the likelihood of homosexual experiences. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surveys, Hygiene, Sexual, Sexual hygiene

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Use of spermicide and impact of prophylactic condom use among sex workers in Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia

Article Abstract:

Suggesting that sex workers use spermicide when clients refuse condoms may lead to reduced use of condoms. Researchers advised 198 Colombian sex workers to either use condoms, use condoms and spermicide together, or use spermicide when clients refuse condoms. Participants kept a log on condom and spermicide use for 12 weeks. Participants reported using condoms 95% and 92% of the time in the first two groups versus 78% of the time in the spermicide back-up group. Fifty-one percent and 41% of participants in the first two groups reported using condoms for every act of intercourse versus less than 5% of the spermicide back-up group. Forty-six percent and 56% in the first two groups reported failing to use a condom because of client refusal versus 95% of the spermicide back-up group. Sex workers directed to use spermicide when clients resist condoms may make less effort to persuade clients to use them.

Spermicides

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