Observation Study: Sexual Health in College
For my subtopic, I was assigned Sexual Health. I want to mainly focus on safe sex and STD prevention for women specifically.
BACKGROUND RESEARCH. I first wanted to do some background research related to sexual health on college campuses.
According to the Trojan Sexual Health Report Card (which was the first survey that graded the sexual health of colleges and universities across the country and ranked them) "Many college students may be left ill-informed about safer sex and more
at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended
pregnancies because of a lack of access to information about sexual
health and availability of condoms at some schools." On Trojan's Sexual Health Report Card, University of Minnesota ranked #68 in 2011, #55 in 2012 and #44 in 2013. Though it's obvious that our rankings are improving, there is still much need for improvement. The majority of the highest ranking schools were in the Northeast, and with Princeton University coming in at #1 earning perfect scores in the critical areas of HIV testing and condom availability. Other high ranking colleges, like Yale University, were found to have excellent resources for students. Yale holds
the annual "Sex Week at Yale" (SWAY), which promotes open on-campus
discussion of sex and relationships, and makes information about sexual
health easily accessible online and through the student health center.
"College Students' Sexual Health: Personal Responsibility or Responsibility of the College?", Journal of American College Health
These researcher's did go-along interviews to determine college students' expectations of their college providing sexual health resources. They found that the majority of the students thought it was the responsibility of the college to provide the resources, but the student's responsibility to seek out the resources. Students' at 4 year colleges "expected resources to be available and emphasized the importance of a supportive community."
"Using Social Norms Theory to Explain Perceptions and Sexual Health Behaviors of Undergraduate College Students: An Exploratory Study," Journal of American College Health
These researchers performed a social norms-based intervention that targeted high-risk sexual behavior in undergraduate students. The social norms theory predicts that misconceptions held by people may influence their likelihood to participate in high-risk behaviors in order to conform to held social norms. It was found in the study that students overestimated their peers' levels of sexual activity, numbers of partners, incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and rates of unintended pregnancies, but underestimated rates of condom use. By intervening and correcting these held perceptions, they saw slight change in the beliefs and practices of the students.
Other Articles Related to Sexual Health in College:
"On Campus: Opening Up Conversations About Sex," New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/science/college-students-opening-up-conversations-about-sex.html?pagewanted=all
"Sex on Campus: She Can Play That Game, Too," New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/fashion/sex-on-campus-she-can-play-that-game-too.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
"Let's Talk (Differently) About Sex," Inside Higher Ed, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/07/29/changing-hook-culture-conversation-college-campuses
"From Gossip to Bragging, How Girls and Boys Are Talking About Sex Is a Problem," Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katie-koestner/from-gossip-to-bragging-h_b_5240802.html
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1. ASK. I interviewed four people about sexual health: a Graduate student, a college senior, a college sophomore and a parent of college students. I want to focus on women for this research and eventual product, so all of the interviewees are female.
Hannah*
Age: 23
Second-year Graduate Student at University of Minnesota
Trend Adoption Stage: Early Majority
1. Do you ever see sexual health products (such as condoms, lubricant, pregnancy tests) on college campuses? If so, tell me about what types of products you’ve seen.
I see condoms handed out or given away on campus a lot. Condoms, lubricant and other things at the stores around campus like Target. I always got things in the mail about counseling and services around the campus for STD testing and pregnancy tests and stuff like that. I know Boynton has something, but I haven't really explored it. I haven't seen anything sold ON campus like at the bookstores or other stores.
2. In your opinion is it important for college students to have easy access to sexual health products?
Yes, because they are going to have sex no matter what and they should be informed and able to make good decisions regarding their sexual health and having access to sexual health products makes it easier to make smart decisions, especially regarding safe sex. Also, other sexual products, such as lubricants will help it be more enjoyable and also have more focus on the sexual pleasure of the woman.
3. Do you think college students do have easy access to these types of products?
I think condoms are given out regularly, but tend to be lower-end brands that break easier and aren't as nice. Easy access or discounted nicer products being available would be good.
I think it's easy to find them, but it's uncomfortable to buy them and you would have to get them when stores are open, which is not usually when you need them.
I think it's especially hard for college students to have access to pregnancy tests. I don't even know where the Planned Parenthood is.
4. Have you ever purchased sexual health products? Why or not?
I use the products but I have never bought them. I either got them for free or my partner had them, which has allowed me not to buy them. I do pay for my own birth control though.
Also, I was scared for a while to buy condoms when I first started having sex. The thought made really nervous.
5. Do you think college students feel uncomfortable when purchasing sexual health products? Why do you think that is?
There is some discomfort, though I can't speak for everyone. I think more women have a harder time buying condoms because there is somewhat of a stigma for women to buy condoms.
I have a harder time buying other sexual health products other than condoms, such as lubricant, that for some reason feels more awkward.
I think it's a similar feeling to when I first started buying tampons.
6. Do you have any suggestions to make the purchase of sexual health products less uncomfortable?
I like the idea of a vending machine. It would allow people to discreetly buy the products 24 hours a day. They could be in dorms, and have other products with them. They could be in the bathrooms and may be have tampons sold with them. Or like chapstick and mints, so it's a "date" related vending machine, ha. And it should be a well designed machine that looks nicer than vending machines. I hate how those look.
Anything that you have to interact with people is awkward. I would want it to be as easy as possible for people to have safe sex.
May be like a safe sex starter kit or variety packs! They could be delivered to dorm rooms and come in discreet packaging. Pregnancy tests and Plan B too.
I think having them in the dorms would be good to make it more of a talking point and make it less awkward and more accepted. Talking about sex shouldn't be awkward. It should be a general part of men
7. What types of sexual health products interest you?
- Specialty condoms (flavored, glow in the dark, ribbed etc.)
Don't disinterest me, but I'm not going to go out and buy them.
Yes, I'm interested. Especially more sensitive types.
- Alternative birth control methods (diaphragm, female condom, spermicide)
No interest.
Liz*
Age: 21
Senior at University of Minnesota
Trend Adoption Stage: Early Adopter
1. Do you ever see sexual health products (such as condoms, lubricant, pregnancy tests) on college campuses? If so, tell me about what types of products you’ve seen.
I see condoms in places like Boynton and given out at dorms, but not in very easy to find places. They should be more out in the open and easier to find, really. I never see other types of products (other than condoms) though.
2. In your opinion is it important for college students to have easy access to sexual health products?
Yes, definitely. I think it's very important for students to be informed and have access to things that allow them to make better choices about sex. I think it should be a lot more accessible and acceptable in general. Sex is made to be such a big, scary thing, when it's just natural and if people talked about it more openly I feel like people could make smarter choices and be healthier.
3. Do you think college students DO have easy access to these types of products?
Not really. I mean you can go to Boynton, but that's awkward. And if you live on campus, it's hard to have to go and get condoms or something at the store when you need them. There should be some easier way to get them on campus that isn't super awkward.
4. Have you ever purchased sexual health products? Why or not?
Yeah, I have. I mean, you get used to buying them. It's awkward at first, but after awhile it gets a little better. But I still feel like they could be sold in a better way.
5. Do you think college students feel uncomfortable when purchasing sexual health products? Why do you think that is?
Oh, definitely. I think women especially feel awkward buying any type of sex related product because I feel like they think they're going to be judged, which is messed up. I think our culture is so prude about sex and that makes it seem like a "shameful" thing to buy things like condoms.
6. Do you have any suggestions to make the purchase of sexual health products less uncomfortable?
Something that makes the whole experience less uncomfortable. May be more privacy or something? Like get the products delivered. I think in general it needs to be more accepted, but it takes small steps
.
7. What types of sexual health products interest you?
- Specialty condoms (flavored, glow in the dark, ribbed etc.)
Yeah, all of those.
Yeah, especially the fancy types.
- Alternative birth control methods (diaphragm, female condom, spermicide)
Not really, unless I had no other option.
Kayla*
Age: 19
Sophomore at University of Wisconsin, Madison
Trend Adoption Stage: Late Majority
1. Do you ever see sexual health products (such as condoms,
lubricant, pregnancy tests) on college campuses? If so, tell me about
what types of products you’ve seen.
I see condoms on campus. They hand them out at activities fairs and have them in the dining halls. There's also a "Sex Out Loud" group that hands condoms out. There's a sexual health representative in the dorms and they're in vending machines in the dorms.
2. In your opinion is it important for college students to have easy access to sexual health products?
Yeah, because it's an awkward thing and I think if people didn't have easy access they would have to try too hard to get them and then just wouldn't use them instead.
3. Do you think college students do have easy access to these types of products?
Yeah, all over the campus and in nearby stores.
4. Have you ever purchased sexual health products? Why or not?
No, because I have never needed to.
5. Do you think college students feel uncomfortable when purchasing sexual health products? Why do you think that is?
People act like they wouldn't care and be embarrassed, not with condoms at least. I think it's awkward for other things though.
6. Do you have any suggestions to make the purchase of sexual health products less uncomfortable?
May be put lube in more discreet packaging, like a box, so you don't have to see the jelly stuff. Also, just change society, to make it more acceptable. If you're raised with more awareness I feel like you make smarter choices.
7. What types of sexual health products interest you?
- Specialty condoms (flavored, glow in the dark, etc.)
Not flavored or anything like that, but may be ribbed, yeah.
I guess, sure.
- Alternative birth control methods (diaphragm, female condom, spermicide)
No.
Jan*
Age: 55
Mother of two college students
Trend Adoption Stage: Late Majority
1. Do you ever see sexual health products (such as condoms,
lubricant, pregnancy tests) on college campuses? If so, tell me about
what types of products you’ve seen.
Not that I know of. I know they give out free condoms.
2. In your opinion is it important for college students to have easy access to sexual health products?
Absolutely! They should give condoms out in a welcome bag when students first get to college. I think it opens up a healthy discussion.
3. Do you think college students do have easy access to these types of products?
Probably do in drug stores, but I feel like it would make them uncomfortable to buy from a real person. A level of aninimity would be less stressful. It's like buying tampons when you first got your period, kind of uncomfortable.
4. Did you ever purchase sexual health products while you were in college? Why or not?
Yes. It was very scary. My boyfriend and I took turns buying condoms because we were shy about it.
5. Do you think college students feel uncomfortable when purchasing sexual health products? Why do you think that is?
Yeah, because it can be very awkward, though I don't think it should be.
6. Do you have any suggestions to make the purchase of sexual health products less uncomfortable?
Vending machines or something in the bathrooms. In the union or main campus area, somewhere less threatening, where it doesn't make them feel like they're doing something wrong. It should be more acceptable for them to buy them and less uncomfortable. May be a student health center? But I guess that takes an extra effort.
*Names changed for privacy
Compiled Character Profile
Problem Statements:
Anna needs an easier way to get condoms because they are not available where and when she needs them.
Anna needs privacy when purchasing sexual health products, because it is a very personal thing.
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2. Observe. Sexual health is a tricky one to observe. I didn't want to make people feel uncomfortable or invade privacy of any sorts, so I decided to survey two main areas on campus (St. Paul Student Center and Coffman Memorial Union) to see if they sold any sexual health products.
St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus
At the St. Paul Student Center there are two main shopping areas for students: the Gopher Spot and the campus Bookstore. I took a look around the Gopher Spot to see what types of products they sold. They do have a section of general health related products, yet they do not sell any sexual health products.
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| The Gopher Spot Health Products |
At the bookstore it was pretty much the same story. They carry general health products such as chapstick, tampons and Kleenex, but not any sexual health products.
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| Health Products at the St. Paul Bookstore |
Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis Campus
At Coffman, there are two stores that could possibly sell sexual health products: the Bookstore and the Convenient store by Starbucks in the Cube. I visited both and it was pretty much the same general health product assortment that I saw at the St. Paul Student Center. Overall there are plenty of opportunities for the campus to sell sexual health products, but they do not.
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| General Health products at the Minneapolis Bookstore |
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| Health Products at the Convenient Store |
Also, there is a general lack of sexual health advocacy and information around the campus that I found somewhat surprising. Walking around both campus hubs, I only found three posters/fliers relating to sexual health.
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3. Experience.
In order to experience the awkwardness felt by college students when they buy sexual health products, I purchased condoms from the TargetExpress in Dinkytown.
It was somewhat awkward, especially since it was 10am in the morning on a Wednesday. The store selection of sexual health products was quite extensive. They had a wide selection of different condom brands and varieties, different types of lubricants, some personal vibrators and some alternative forms of birth control. They also sold pregnancy tests and ovulation tests in the same aisle. I just picked up a small pack of Trojan condoms and headed to the register to purchase them. I did feel pretty uncomfortable just buying condoms, especially since it was 10am in the morning on a Wednesday. Altogether though, the experience wasn't all that bad. The person at the register was very professional and just checked me out with no signs of judgment or anything. I think being able to buy them in a more anonymous and private setting would have made it less uncomfortable, but it wasn't too awkward.
Conclusions
From the research and the interviews I found that the majority of college students feel like they need easy access to sexual health products, but that they sometimes feel uncomfortable purchasing these items in the way they are currently sold. I think that these findings show two obvious opportunities for sexual health products: access and privacy.
