Gaps in College Students' STD Knowledge: Disparities Among Latino and Non-Latino Students

Introduction: Compared to other groups, US Latinos are experiencing significantly higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), unintended pregnancy, and cervical cancer (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2013; CDC, 2014). Latinos are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and less likely to seek out medical services. In fact, Latinas report the lowest rates of condom use among all other populations (Espinoza-Hernández & Lefkowitz, 2009). Furthermore, Latinos are less likely to have adequate knowledge about safe sex practices. Research has found that Latinos with greater knowledge regarding STDs are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior. However, differences in health literacy between Latino and Non-Latino adolescents and young adults are not well documented. In fact, few studies have looked at STD health care knowledge among Latinos. More comprehensive education aimed at filling knowledge gaps at a young age may decrease risky sexual behavior. In order to address gaps in knowledge we must first identify where misinformation and lack of adequate knowledge exists. The current study aims to identify gaps in knowledge among college students, as well as differences in knowledge between the Latino and Non-Latino students. These findings may help us understand and address sexual health disparities.

Methods: Participants were recruited from Introduction to Psychology courses (N = 1108; 43.3% Latino). Using survey methodology, we asked participants about their STD knowledge. Participants responded with “True”, “False”, or “Don’t Know”.

Results: We first examined the overall accuracy of STD knowledge among participants. Across all participants, many (47-74%) reported that they did not know whether information regarding STDs was true or false. There were significant differences between Latinos and Non-Latinos in STD Knowledge (χ2 = 15.34, p < 0.01). Overall Latinos reported less knowledge. We then analyzed differences between Latinos and Non-Latinos for each item of the measure individually to identify differences in knowledge. Significant differences emerged.

Conclusions: This research may help us understand and better address existing sexual health knowledge disparities. More comprehensive education aimed at filling knowledge voids, especially for Latinos, may decrease risky sexual behavior. Furthermore, these results can provide much needed scientific basis for developing and integrating culturally appropriate interventions to meet the needs of Latinos.