Assessment of sexual health services at US colleges and universities, 2001 and 2014
Alexandra Coor A D , Precious Esie B , Patricia J. Dittus A , Emilia H. Koumans C , Joseph Kang A and Melissa A. Habel AA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of STD Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
B Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, 722 West 168th St, New York, NY 10032, USA.
C Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Reproductive Health, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
D Corresponding author. Email: yfu3@cdc.gov
Sexual Health 15(5) 420-423 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH18014
Submitted: 30 January 2018 Accepted: 27 May 2018 Published: 27 September 2018
Abstract
Background: Approximately 19 million students attend post-secondary institutions in the US. With rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at unprecedented highs, the college and university setting can provide the opportunity to engage young adults in their sexual health and deliver recommended services. The purpose of this study was to compare the provision of sexual health services at US college and university health centres across studies conducted in 2001 and 2014. Methods: We compared data from nationally representative surveys administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001, n = 736 schools; 2014, n = 482 schools), assessing the provision of services, including STI diagnosis and treatment, contraception, STI education, condom distribution and availability of health insurance. Results: Compared with 2001, statistically significant increases were observed in 2014, including in the provision of contraceptive services (56.1% vs 65.0%), HIV testing (81.5% vs 92.3%) and gonorrhoea testing (90.7% vs 95.8%). Significant decreases were found in the number of schools offering health plans (65.5% vs 49.4%) and specific modes of offering STI education, such as health fairs (82.3% vs 69.9%) and orientation presentations (46.5% vs 29.8%; all P < 0.001). Conclusions: From 2001 to 2014, there have been some improvements in sexual health services at colleges and universities, but there are areas that require additional access to services. Schools may consider regular assessments of service provision in order to further promote sexual health services on college campuses.
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