THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AS A SEXUAL DISINHIBITOR TO HIGH-RISK SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR - GENDER DIFFERENCES

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of alcohol consumption as a sexual disinhibitor to high-risk sexual behavior among college students attending an urban university in the south. Questionnaires were completed by 489 college freshman enrolled in a Human Sexuality class offered through the Psychology Department. Sexual behaviors occurring after a person had ''let themselves drink more than normal in order to make it easier for them to have sex with someone'' were assessed. Of the respondents, 27% of those with one or more sexual partners in the past year had let themselves drink more than normal at least once ill tire past year in order to make it easier for them to have sex. Of those times, 37% of the experiences were with people that they had just met or who were acquaintances. There were significant gender differences in relation to letting one's self drink too much to have sex and the use of protective barriers during sexual activity. The results are discussed in relation to preventing the spread of HIV disease.