Background

1. Investigation of risky sexual behaviors among those diagnosed with depressionin Ithaca College StudentsKathleen Brian, Brandie Parker, Alex Trocino, Lyann YokoyamaSponsored by: Miranda Kaye and Srijana BajracharyaEpidemiology/Stat Class of ’13J. J. Whalen Academic Symposium, April 4, 2013Ithaca College

2. Background • The CDC reports that 10% of adult population report having depression. • Females are more likely to report having depression • The NIMH reports that 11% of adolescents have a depressive disorder by 18 years of age. • Female adolescents are more likely to report having a depressive disorder • Youth with depressive disorders are more likely to engage in risky sexual intercourse, contract STDs, and have sexual intercourse at an early age (before 16 years old) (Ramrakha, Caspi, Dickson, Moffitt, & Paul, 2000; Waller, Hallfors, Halpern, Iritani, Ford, & Guo, 2006). • Females:  depressive symptoms  risky sexual behaviors

3. Background • About 30-50% of college males who engage in sexual intercourse report using condoms inconsistently (Hollub, Reece, Herbenick, Hensel, & Middlestadt, 2011). • Females who reported higher depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in causal sex, whereas males who engage in causal sex were less likely to report depressive symptoms (Grello, Welsh, & Harper, 2013).

4. Purpose • This investigation aims to explore the sexual health practices of diagnosed depression in students at Ithaca College versus students who are not depressed. Previous research have reported links between depression and unsafe sexual practices in the teenage population, however there little research known on college populations.

5. Hypothesis • Students diagnosed with depression will engage in riskier sexual behaviors than students who have not been diagnosed with depression. • Risky sexual behaviors we will look at include: multiple sexual partners and using a barrier method (ie. condoms) during sexual intercourse.

6. Methods • Participants (N = 1222, Nmale = 500, Nfemale = 713) were sampled from Ithaca College students. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 39 years (M = 19.94; SD = 1.576). The majority (87.6%) of participants identified as Caucasian. Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors were all relatively equally represented.

7. Methods • Data collected using the National College Health Assessment II (NCHA II) • Developed by the ACHA - tool for identifying trends in health behavior and attitudes. • 330 questions • Explores: different health topics and the impact of health on students’ academic performance and quality of life. • Health categories include: impact of health on academic performance, health problems in the past year, prevention health practices, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, mental health, nutrition/physical activity/sleep, and health interests.

8. Methods • Conducted via e-mail • Random sample (N = 3578) • Drawing for a free Netflix subscription or an Apple iPod Nano • 34.3% responded (N = 1222)

9. Depression

10. Sexual Health Behaviors

11. Results

12. Results • Regression • Predicting barrier use among those diagnosed with depression • Independent t-test • Barrier methods used during oral, vaginal, and anal intercourse; differences among those diagnosed with depression and those who have not been • Frequencies

13. Results • 0=never use barrier methods • 1=rarely use barrier methods • 2=sometimes use barrier methods • 3=most of the time use barrier methods • 4=always use barrier methods • Oral: 90% never use barriers • Anal: 41% never use barriers • Vaginal: 14% never use barriers

14. Discussion • Population with depression • Females with depression • Association between depression and risky sexual behavior in females • Females diagnosed with depression reported higher numbers of sexual partners

15. Conclusions • Our hypotheses stands • We found that safer sex practices were generally low throughout the whole college population • Condom use • Oral sex • Anal sex