AIDS: Its Effects on Sexual Practices among Homosexual and Heterosexual College Students

Abstract

This study assesses high risk/low risk safer sex behaviors among a selected sample (n = 403) of homosexual and heterosexual college students on a campus in northern Texas. An 18-item validated questionnaire was administered to 75 students from a homosexual student association, 85 heterosexual fraternity/sorority members, and 243 heterosexual non-fraternity/sorority members from a sample of college classes. Seven items on the questionnaire requested demographic information, one item related to HIV status, and 10 items identified safer sex behaviors practiced by respondents in the past six months because of their fears of contracting HIV. These 10 items formed a Safer Sex Scale (SSS). Homosexual subjects were more likely to report being HIV negative, whereas heterosexual subjects were more uncertain about their HIV status (x² = 14.43, p<.001). Females (M = 2.22) more than males (M = 2.71) (t = 8.08, p<.001), heterosexuals (M = 2.42) more than homosexuals (M = 2.59) (t = 2.46, p<.05), and non-whites (M = 2.23) more than whites (M = 2.52) (t = 3.38, p<.001) valued and practiced safer sex behavior. ANOVA produced significant differences (p <.001) on the SSS among respondents and their reported safer sex behaviors with dates in the past six months. Significant differences (p <.05) were also found for the number of sexual partners in the past six months and for the reported frequency of sexual intercourse in the last six months.