Man Up Monday: An integrated public health approach to increase sexually transmitted infection awareness and testing among male students at a midwest university

Abstract

Objective: This campaign sought to (a) increase awareness of sexual health and chlamydia testing; (b) motivate students, particularly sexually active men who do not pursue regular sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, to get tested; and (c) improve the capacity of the student health center to provide free chlamydia testing and treatment for all students.

Participants: Students enrolled at a 4-year public research university (N = 333).

Methods: Collaborative partnerships formed the foundation of a campus marketing and testing campaign, with treatment for students testing positive for chlamydia.

Results: A total of 333 students were tested over 5 consecutive Mondays, showing a chlamydia incidence of 9.6%. The incidence for females and males were 8.6% and 10.8%, respectively.

Conclusions: The campaign was effective in reaching men, an at-risk population not traditionally emphasized in STI testing.

Keywords: Chlamydia; STI; college; health education; male; men; sexual health; testing; university.