Year of Publication
2021
College
Public Health
Date Available
5-18-2021
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Chair
Dr. Rafael Perez Figueroa, MD, MPH
Committee Member
Dr. Angela Carman, DrPH
Committee Member
Dr. Richard Crosby, PhD
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections disproportionally affect young adults. Within this age group, women are at an increased risk for contracting and STI and face more severe long-term adverse consequences than men. College aged individuals are at an increased risk for contracting an STI due to risky sexual behaviors such as unprotected sex with multiple partners. College students involved in Greek Life have been found to engage in risker sexual behaviors than non-Greek life students. These individuals perceive themselves to be at a higher risk for contracting an STI and have an increased number of unprotected sexual encounters under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, reported a 393% increase in Chlamydia cases from 2007 to 2017. Due to the risk factors involved in Greek Life and the spike in STI cases on campus, The University of Kentucky’s Panhellenic community is the ideal place to implement an intervention program. Insights is a minimal, yet highly tailored intervention focused on improving the adoption of condom use and other safe sex practices among sorority women. Participants complete a baseline survey which identifies a unique combination of strategies and pertinent information that are most beneficial to the individual. Customized booklets will be created and distributed to each participant. Along with the booklets women will receive a safe sex kit. Goals of the intervention include increasing existing knowledge regarding STIs and sexual risks, promoting positive change in attitudes and beliefs surrounding condom use, and enhancing self-efficacy for condom use and safer sex negotiations. Insights will be evaluated with self-administered 3-month and 6-month follow up surveys. Identifying barriers and opportunities for program implementation in our specific community as well as overall program effectiveness in promoted our desired goals is the focus of our evaluation. Long-term intervention outcomes include a decrease in STI prevalence within our community.
Recommended Citation
Maita, Julianna, "Educational Intervention to Change Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Sexual Behaviors to Reduce Rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections among University of Kentucky’s Sorority Life Students." (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 323.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/323
