Sexually transmitted diseases: Risk behaviors of female active duty U.S. army recruits

Abstract

This study examined the sexually related behaviors of 594 unmarried female Army recruits at the beginning of their basic training. The response rate for the entire sample of 818 recruits was 99.4%, with data from the 224 married recruits being eliminated from the analysis. The recruits completed an anonymous survey examining several independent variables: frequency of condom use, number of sexual partners, screening behaviors, and pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease prevention methods. The findings are discussed with regard to suggested appropriate and cost-effective educational interventions.