Sexual Behaviors and Practices of African American College Students

There is limited epidemiological data on the sexual behaviors and practices of African American college students and their reported alcohol and marijuana use. Empirical studies have linked illicit drug use and binge drinking to sexual risk-taking for college students. This study examined the associations between alcohol and marijuana use, and the sexual behaviors and practices of African American college age students attending a mid-Atlantic Historically Black College & University. A cross-sectional purposive sample examined the sexual behaviors and practices of 681 African American college age students. Students were categorized as abstinent or sexually active, and practicing safer sex or engaging in higher risk sexual behaviors. Survey items assessed alcohol and marijuana use in the last 30 days and prior to sexual intercourse. The instrument included items that assessed students' current and past sexual practices.

Of the 681 college students sampled, 86% (n=590) reported being sexually active and 13% (n=91) reported abstinence. Sixty reported not drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana prior to sexual intercourse and 24% reported engaging in these behaviors. Students who reported binge drinking or marijuana use were more likely to report being sexually active than students not engaging in these behaviors.

This research provides confirmatory data that alcohol and marijuana use contirbutes to students' decisions to be abstinent or sexually active. Students who use these drugs are more likely to report riskier sexual behaviors. College sexual health awareness campaigns should highlight the inextricable link of illicit drug use and sexual risk-taking behaviors and the adverse consequences that may result from having sex while intoxicated or high.

Learning Objective:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: (1) discuss recent research regarding the association between alcohol and marijuana use and sexual risk taking behaviors of African American college students and (2) discuss strategies for enhancing sexual health awareness programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities.