Sexual behavior, communication, and chlamydial infections among college women

Abstract

The sexual practices, partner communication patterns, and prevalence of chlamydial infection were determined in a sample of college women. Specific inclusion criteria were used to screen 146 participants. The presence of a mucopurulent cervical discharge was the only criterion significantly associated with infection. Only 12% of the sample used condoms alone or in combination with another birth control method, and only 31% of the women discussed with their partner their own or their partner's sexual history. Thirty-eight percent of the sample reported a history of one to four episodes of a sexually transmitted disease, and 21% of the women stated they had had two or more sexual partners within the past 6 months. Health providers, counselors, and women themselves must address this health issue with more assertive behavior and communication skills.

PIP: During a 4-month period, 146 sexually active college women aged over 18 who visited a student health clinic with a condition requiring a pelvic exam were studied. The two or more inclusion criteria were: new sexual partner within the past 6 months; presence of purulent cervical exudate; cervical bleeding induced by swabbing; lack of contraception; and vaginal smear with 10 or more white blood cells per high-power field. In addition, detailed information was also gathered about sexual behavior and partner communication. The mean age was 21 years; 91% were White and 98% were single. 15 (10%) of the sample tested positive for Chlamydia trachomatis. One test was inconclusive. Among 130 negative cases, 12.3% had purulent cervical discharge compared to 33.3% (8) of 15 chlamydia positive cases (p 0.05). 128 (88%) women reported using birth control: 107 (84%) used oral contraceptives (OCs); 15 used condoms; 2 used a diaphragm and condom; 1 used OCs and condom; 2 used a diaphragm; and 1 had had a tubal ligation. Only 14% (18) used condoms alone or in combination with another method. Only 31% (45) discussed the possibility of either partner having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as herpes, venereal warts, or pelvic inflammatory disease. 33% (5) of the positive group versus 20% (23) of the negative group discussed this issue. 32 students had had 2 or more partners in the past 6 months. The women in each group had an average of 1.20 partners. Only 18 (13%) women thought that their partner could have had another sexual partner in the past 6 months, whereas 6 did not know. 26% of the positive group versus 12% of the negative group thought that their partner might have had another sexual contact. 4 students thought that their partner may have had an STD, and 3 of them tested positive for chlamydia. 38% (55) of the sample reported a history of 1-4 episodes of an STD, amounting to a total of 76 cases. Health care providers must stress the health risks of sexual encounters in which a condom is not used.