Counseling college students after a positive pregnancy test: Trends in practice.

Objective: To provide an overview of college health centers' practices surrounding education, counseling and referral after a patient receives a positive pregnancy test. Participants: College health centers that participated in the annual ACHA Pap Test and STI Survey years 2008 to 2014. Methods: Descriptive analyses for items regarding all-options and limited counseling/education and types of referrals (adoption, abortion and prenatal care) provided to students. Chi-square statistics were calculated to examine trends over time and differences between demographic characteristics. Results: There were no significant differences across time but there were significant differences between regions of the US and if the institution was faith-based, though few had strong association values. Conclusions: The results indicate most college health centers are following best practices regarding counseling and education for a positive pregnancy test result. Understanding limitations for those institutions not in compliance require further exploration.

Get Yourself Tested (GYT) Campaign: Investigating Campaign Awareness and Behaviors Among High School and College Students.

Adolescents and young adults are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This study examined the association of GYT: Get Yourself Tested (GYT), a sexual health social marketing campaign, with several sexual health behaviors on a nationally representative sample of high school (HS) and college students ( n = 2,329) recruited through an online panel survey. Behaviors examined were STD testing, HIV testing, and whether students had communication with health care providers and their romantic partners about STDs and STD testing. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. The results indicated college students were more aware of GYT than HS students. Awareness of GYT was significantly associated with STD testing ( p < .05), HIV testing ( p < .01), and talking with romantic partners ( p < .01) for college students but only with STD testing ( p < .05) and talking to a provider ( p < .05) for HS students. The differences between HS and college students provide insight for those developing and implementing interventions across such a broad age range of youth.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and expedited partner therapy (EPT) practices of college student health centers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine college student health centers' (SHCs) practices related to sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening and treatment over a 5-year period. PARTICIPANTS: College SHCs that completed the ACHA Pap and STI Survey between 2010 and 2014. METHODS: Chi-square tests were conducted with Cramer's V providing a measure of association. RESULTS: Chlamydia screening of women under 25 years of age was a well-established practice. Almost one-third of SHCs did not report screening practices of men who have sex with men (MSM) consistent with current chlamydia and gonorrhea guidelines; however, there was improvement over time. Few college SHCs utilized expedited partner therapy (EPT), though fewer had blanket restrictions prohibiting its use in 2014 compared to 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Over the 5-year period, more SHCs followed current best practices. Improvement in compliance with guidelines related to MSM STD screening as well as increased usage of EPT is needed to best address the needs of the diverse college student population.

Trends in Pap test practices and results: An 11-year review of the annual ACHA Pap Test and STI Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a trend analysis of Pap test practices, Pap test results and related women's services and guidelines of college health centers. PARTICIPANTS: College health centers who participated in the annual ACHA Pap Test and STI (sexually transmitted infection) Survey years 2004-2014 (n ranged from 127 to 181 depending on year). METHODS: Descriptive analyses are presented with ANOVAs (Analysis of Variance) and chi-square tests calculated to examine trends over time. RESULTS: The number of Pap tests significantly decreased over time; however, the percentage of normal and HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) results did not vary. Availability of conventional cytology slides and cryotherapy were significantly associated with year. Over time, college health centers' guidelines related to initiation of Pap testing evolved to consistently conform to national recommendations for cervical screening. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate most college health centers are following the current national guidelines regarding Pap testing for young adult women.

Man Up Monday: An integrated public health approach to increase sexually transmitted infection awareness and testing among male students at a midwest university.

OBJECTIVE: This campaign sought to (a) increase awareness of sexual health and chlamydia testing; (b) motivate students, particularly sexually active men who do not pursue regular sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, to get tested; and (c) improve the capacity of the student health center to provide free chlamydia testing and treatment for all students. PARTICIPANTS: Students enrolled at a 4-year public research university (N = 333). METHODS: Collaborative partnerships formed the foundation of a campus marketing and testing campaign, with treatment for students testing positive for chlamydia. RESULTS: A total of 333 students were tested over 5 consecutive Mondays, showing a chlamydia incidence of 9.6%. The incidence for females and males were 8.6% and 10.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The campaign was effective in reaching men, an at-risk population not traditionally emphasized in STI testing.

Psychometric Confirmation of the Sexual Health Survey as a Useful Tool for College Health Professionals.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a confirmatory factor analysis on the 17-item Sexual Health Survey (SHS), a comprehensive instrument designed to be used with college students. PARTICIPANTS: College students (N = 515) aged 18 to 26 years enrolled at a Midwest public university October 2009. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis with maximum likelihood estimation was performed to test the stability of the constructs. RESULTS: All factor loadings were significant (p < .001), ranging from .55 to .99 (standardized). The range of squared multiple correlations of items was .31 to .98, and the intercorrelations among the 5 factors were from -.03 to .52. These small to moderate levels of intercorrelation support discriminant validity of 5 constructs. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the 5-factor version of the 17-item SHS as a viable scale that can measure sexual health overall and 5 distinct areas. College health professionals should consider use of this scale for assessment purposes and evaluation of programmatic efforts.