Pine Log

Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Justin Elbert [Click to enlarge]

Within the past two weeks, more than 1,300 SFA students have answered survey questions regarding their sexual health practices, to help university health workers identify specific problems and develop preventative programs specific to students' needs.

Dr. Dean Kniss, assistant professor of kinesiology and health science, has been researching sexually transmissible infections and their prevention for several years and compiled his surveys from a mix of questions being used in similar studies across the country.

A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study found that about 26 percent of girls and women 14-19 years old have contracted a sexually transmitted disease or infection, and Kniss believes such findings are "shocking".

"One of the most troubling statistics I continue to see is the morbidity rate from STIs among adolescents and young adults in the United States," he said, adding that those statistics indicate a "serious need" to initiate preventative measures targeted at the 15-24 year-old age group at every opportunity.

"This research is an initial attempt to collect data and to explore and document the needs of the SFA community in regard to our disease problem," he said. "I don't think seeing results in print will change anyone's behaviors, but it could become a base of knowledge about the problem as it relates specifically to SFA students."

While Kniss is optimistic about survey results, calling current student participation "encouraging", he acknowledges limitations of the project. "Some might have found the questions intrusive or uncomfortable," he noted," but I would hope that respondents answered honestly as behavioral questions help researchers understand the complexity of variables that lead to the transmission of these pathogens."

Because the survey is in progress, Kniss could offer no preliminary results, other than that his current sample seems representative of the student population based on demographic data. The survey will be available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TAI5MOnL49W7cqQiyKY0UA_3d_3d until Friday and is funded by a James J. Perkins College of Education Research Academy Grant.



jquarles@thepinelog.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools