News
By Christine Brubaker
|
October 13, 1999
Despite increased attention to the dangers of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, recent studies show many sexually active teens are ignorant of the true risks of potentially hazardous sex habits.
According to a national study by Bruce Jancin in OBGYN News, 40 percent of sexually active teenagers have never discussed STDs with a partner, 43 percent do not use condoms during intercourse, and an even greater 55 percent do not discuss STDs with their current partners.
While most members of the University community have passed their teen years, the student population is not immune to these statistics.
Although cases of HIV and AIDS are rarely reported at the University's Student Health Center, other STDs are still commonplace and potentially very dangerous.
According to Dr. Christine Peterson of Student Health's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, STDs such as chlamydia and Human Papilloma Virus are quite common on college campuses.
Every sexually active woman who visits a gynecologist, for example, is tested for chlamydia.
"The chlamydia rates have dropped recently and HPV rates have risen," Peterson said.
