Exploring linear and circular relationships between academic performance and risky sexual behaviors of college students

Sexual health is a continuous concern of college and university administrators across the country. The purpose of this study was to explore the linear and circular relationship between academic performance, risky sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases. While these relationships have been vastly studied in high school students, there is limited information on how these relationships play out in college students. The National College Health Assessment-II was analyzed to identify the correlations between academic performance, risky sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases. I analyzed the relationship between approximate grade point average and number of sexual partners, approximate grade point average and condom use and approximate grade point average and anal intercourse. I also examined the relationships between sexually transmitted disease status and approximate grade point average. Lastly I looked at how all three (academic performance, risky sexual behaviors, and sexually transmitted disease status) relate to each other. The results showed that generally, students with higher grade point averages engaged in risky sexual behaviors less frequently than those with lower grade point averages. Students with higher grade point averages reported fewer sexual partners, engaged in anal intercourse less frequently and reported higher rates of condom use during vaginal intercourse. Sexually transmitted disease diagnosis/treatment was also correlated with approximate grade point average in relation to gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV. Students with lower grade point averages reported higher frequency of STD diagnosis/treatment within the last 12 months. Finally our results showed that students with higher grade point averages were less likely to be diagnosed/treated for a sexually transmitted diseases. The odds of students engaging in anal intercourse were increased as grade point averages decrease; however, the odds of students using condoms during vaginal intercourse decreased as grade point averages increase