STD Diagnoses among Sexually Active Female College Students: Does Sexual Orientation or Gender of Sex Partner(s) Make a Difference?

Background:
One hundred seventeen U.S. postsecondary institutions self-selected to participate in the Spring 2006 National College Health Assessment and utilized a random sampling technique. A total of 94,806 surveys were completed by students on these campuses, of which 29,952 were non-international, sexually active, females of traditional college age (18-24 years).

Objective:
To determine risk for STDs (past school year) among sexually active, non-international, female college students based on sexual orientation and gender of sex partner(s).

Method:
Secondary data analyses (Chi-square; t-tests; analysis of variance, including Tukey post-hoc procedure; and risk calculations) using the Spring 2006 National College Health Assessment.

Result:
Sexually active female college students who identified as bisexual (n=1000) were 1.59 times (95% CI: 1.27 - 1.99) more likely than heterosexual (n=28261) and 4.24 times (95% CI: 1.83 - 9.79) more likely than gay/lesbian (n=271) identified students to be diagnosed with a STD during the past school . Female students who reported having both male and female sex partners during the past year (n=609) were 3.64 times (95% CI: 2.28 - 5.83) more likely than students who had only male partners (n=28728) and 4.04 times (95% CI: 2.57 - 6.35) more likely than students who had only female partners (n=615) during the past year to be diagnosed with a STD. Significant differences in number of sex partners and having a gynecological exam (past year) were also reported based on sexual orientation and gender of sex partner(s).

Conclusion:
Significant differences existed in STD risk among sexually active female college students based on both sexual orientation and gender of sex partners. However, students who reported having both male and female sex partners during the past year, regardless of sexual orientation, reported the greatest STD risk.

Implications:
Further research should be conducted to understand reasons for elevated risk taking among sexually active female college students who have sex with both males and females.