Condom use, concurrent sex partners and “Hooking Up:” Social media usage as a correlate of sexual risk behavior on the college campus

5^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs

November 13-14, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Chakema Carmack

University of Houston, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

With an increase in technology and social media applications, college students have a way of connecting with others more efficiently than ever. The present study identified whether amount of time spent on Facebook, currently the most popular social media application, was related to sexual risk behaviors (i.e. sex without a condom, multiple concurrent sex partners, and pursuing â�?�?hookupsâ�?). The hypotheses tested whether Facebook usage would be associated with having sex without a condom, having concurrent sex partners, and pursuing â�?�?hookupsâ�? on Facebook. Gender was tested as a moderator in these relationships as well, given the differences in STI risk behaviors and online dating behavior. Data were gathered from 236 African American college-aged students. Facebook usage of 3 or more daily hours was associated with having sex without a condom and using Facebook to pursue hookups. In addition, females who spent 3 or more hours on Facebook were less likely to have sex without a condom, but more likely to have concurrent sex partners than men whose usage was 3 or more hours daily; and men who spent 3 or more hours on Facebook were more likely to pursue hookups via Facebook than women whose usage was 3 or more hours daily. This study provides a starting point to further explore how social media consumption can be used to perpetuate or ameliorate risky sexual behavior among a vulnerable population.

Biography :

Chakema Carmack is a community psychologist with a specialty in statistics and methodology and a background in adolescent and young adult risk behaviors. She received my training at Wichita State University and completed a NIH dual-appointment post-doctoral position at The Pennsylvania State University. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Houston, she contribute to the field of prevention science through teaching, community involvement, and personally meaningful research. Specifically, my focus is on 1) psychosocial and socio-environmental factors that promote or deter condom use and other STI risk-taking behaviors, and 2) family resilience as a health protector among underserved populations. My goal is to create, tailor and evaluate health promotion programs that reflect the unique cultural needs of underserved populations.