Paper Title

Is growing up in a rural area associated with less HIV/STD-related risk?: a brief report from an internet sample

Authors

Keywords

Rural Areas
Sexual Risk Behavior
HIV/STD
Condom Use
Sexual Health
Risk Comparison
Prevention Education
Rural vs. Urban
Internet Sample
Sexual Enhancement Products
Sexual Behavior
STD Diagnosis
Risk Beliefs
Public Health
rural
condoms
HIV/AIDS

Article Type

Research Article

Journal

Health Education Monographs

Issue

Volume : 25 | Issue : 2 | Page No : 34-38

Published On

March, 2008

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Abstract

This exploratory study compared selected HIV/STD-related risk variables (sexual behavior, condom use, STD diagnosis, and beliefs) between adults who grew up in a rural area and those who grew up in a non- rural area. Participants were recruited through an electronic mailing list of a large, internet-based sexual enhancement product company and completed a web-based questionnaire. A sample comprising 123 rural men and women and 1131 non–rural men and women, ages 18 to 39 years, were analyzed. No significant differences were found for any of the variables between those who grew up in a rural area compared to those who grew up in a non-rural area, although both groups reported HIV/STD risk behaviors. Hence, prevention education efforts appear justified in rural, as well urban areas.