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Sexual assault incidents among college undergraduates: Prevalence and factors associated with risk.

ABSTRACT: Sexual assault on college campuses is a public health issue. However varying research methodologies (e.g., different sexual assault definitions, measures, assessment timeframes) and low response rates hamper efforts to define the scope of the problem. To illuminate the complexity of campus sexual assault, we collected survey data from a large population-based random sample of undergraduate students from Columbia University and Barnard College in New York City, using evidence based methods to maximize response rates and sample representativeness, and behaviorally specific measures of sexual assault to accurately capture victimization rates. This paper focuses on student experiences of different types of sexual assault victimization, as well as sociodemographic, social, and risk environment correlates. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used to estimate prevalences and test associations. Since college entry, 22% of students reported experiencing at least one incident of sexual assault (defined as sexualized touching, attempted penetration [oral, anal, vaginal, other], or completed penetration). Women and gender nonconforming students reported the highest rates (28% and 38%, respectively), although men also reported sexual assault (12.5%). Across types of assault and gender groups, incapacitation due to alcohol and drug use and/or other factors was the perpetration method reported most frequently (> 50%); physical force (particularly for completed penetration in women) and verbal coercion were also commonly reported. Factors associated with increased risk for sexual assault included non-heterosexual identity, difficulty paying for basic necessities, fraternity/sorority membership, participation in more casual sexual encounters ("hook ups") vs. exclusive/monogamous or no sexual relationships, binge drinking, and experiencing sexual assault before college. High rates of re-victimization during college were reported across gender groups. Our study is consistent with prevalence findings previously reported. Variation in types of assault and methods of perpetration experienced across gender groups highlight the need to develop prevention strategies tailored to specific risk groups.

SUBMITTER: Mellins CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5695602 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sexual assault incidents among college undergraduates: Prevalence and factors associated with risk.

Mellins Claude A CA Walsh Kate K Sarvet Aaron L AL Wall Melanie M Gilbert Louisa L Santelli John S JS Thompson Martie M Wilson Patrick A PA Khan Shamus S Benson Stephanie S Bah Karimata K Kaufman Kathy A KA Reardon Leigh L Hirsch Jennifer S JS

PloS one 20171108 11

Sexual assault on college campuses is a public health issue. However varying research methodologies (e.g., different sexual assault definitions, measures, assessment timeframes) and low response rates hamper efforts to define the scope of the problem. To illuminate the complexity of campus sexual assault, we collected survey data from a large population-based random sample of undergraduate students from Columbia University and Barnard College in New York City, using evidence based methods to max ...[more]

PMID: 29117226

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Project description:PurposeCollege-bound young people experience sexual assault, both before and after they enter college. This study examines historical risk factors (experiences and exposures that occurred prior to college) for penetrative sexual assault (PSA) victimization since entering college.MethodsA cross-sectional study, including an online population-based quantitiative survey with undergraduate students was conducted in spring 2016. Bivariate analyses and multivariable regressions examined risk and protective factors associated with ever experiencing PSA since entering college. Concurrently-collected in-depth ethnographic interviews with 151 students were reviewed for information related to factors identified in the survey.ResultsIn bivariate analyses, multiple historical factors were significantly associated with PSA in college including adverse childhood experiences and having experienced unwanted sexual contact before college (for women) and initiation of alcohol, marijuana, and sexual behaviors before age 18. Significant independent risk factors for college PSA included female gender, experiencing unwanted sexual contact before college, first oral sex before age 18, and "hooking up" (e.g., causual sex or sex outside a committed partnership) in high school. Receipt of school-based sex education promoting refusal skills before age 18 was an independent protective factor; abstinence-only instruction was not. In the ethnographic interviews, students reported variable experiences with sex education before college; many reported it was awkward and poorly delivered.ConclusionsMultiple experiences and exposures prior to college influenced the risk of penetrative sexual assault in college. Pre-college comprehensive sexuality education, including skills-based training in refusing unwanted sex, may be an effective strategy for preventing sexual assault in college. Sexual assault prevention needs to begin earlier; successful prevention before college should complement prevention efforts once students enter college.

Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to provide estimates of both overall and specific forms of sexual harassment among male and female college and university students.Design and settingData stem from a recent national student health survey from 2018 for higher education in Norway (the SHoT study (Students' Health and Wellbeing Study)).Participants50 054 full-time students (69.1% women) aged 18-35 years participated, yielding a response rate of 31%.Main outcome measureSexual harassment was defined according to Norwegian legal regulations, and was assessed by self-report on seven items covering verbal, non-verbal and physical sexual harassment. We also collected data on the timeframe and frequency of the sexual harassment, in addition to the formal position of the perpetrator of the harassment.ResultsLifetime sexual harassment was reported by 24.2% (women 31.3%, men 8.0%), while 16.7% (women 21.6%, men 5.7%) reported having been sexually harassed within the past year. The most common forms of lifetime (ever having experienced) sexual harassments were 'sexual expressions, suggestions or comments about your body' and 'unwanted touching, hugging or kissing' (both 15.4%), while rape and rape attempt were reported by 3.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Exposure to all forms of past-year sexual harassments was significantly more common among women and the youngest age cohorts. Fellow students committed the past-year sexual harassment in 18%-29% of the instances, while a university staff member was reported to have committed the harassment in 0.6%-4.6% of cases.ConclusionGiven the potential consequences suffered by those exposed to sexual harassment and assault, both the institutions and student welfare organisations should intensify their efforts to put the theme on the agenda and provide both legal and health services to victims of sexual harassment. The low response rate means that care should be taken in interpreting and generalising the findings to the whole student population.

Project description:BackgroundThe health of individuals is not only the absence of disease checked medically, but also encompasses social and psychological aspects. Any departure from the state of physiological, psychological, or social well-being was affected by different factors. However, all contributory factors were not equally responsible for affecting disease. This study was undertaken as a search for the relative effects of sociocultural and individual behavioral factors contributing to acute and chronic gastritis patients visiting Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC).MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out on 364 patients visited SPHMMC in the study. Primary data were collected through an interview schedule tool with an exit approach by validating questions pertaining to sociocultural and individual behavioral factors. The status of gastritis was measured as whether patients had Helicobacter Pylori infection, signs and symptoms indicated gastritis that occurred, and persisted for less than a month, greater than a month, or none of the signs and symptoms. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression model were used to identify the predictors of gastritis severity. P-value ≤ 0.05 was declared as an indicator of statistically significant.ResultsThe prevalence of gastritis in the study area was 78.8%. Specifically, 48.9% and 29.9% had acute and chronic gastritis, respectively. The study found that low income and taking medicinal drugs was slightly significantly contributed to higher gastritis status; however, being younger age was slightly significantly contributed to lower gastritis status. Furthermore, the results indicated that eating spiced foods (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.508; 95% CI: 1.046, 2.174), lack of physical exercise regularly (AOR = 1.780; 95% CI: 1.001, 3.168), stress (AOR = 2.168; 95% CI: 1.379, 3.4066), and substance use (AOR = 1.478; 95% CI: 1.093, 1.999) were significantly contributed to higher gastritis status.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that women should take enough rest and sleep well, men refrain from involvement in any risky behaviors, young people and those who earn low income per month should equip with knowledge and understanding on how to practice good health behaviors, eating foods on time, avoiding eating spiced food frequently, doing physical exercise regularly, and taking medicinal drugs according to physician advice are recommended.

Project description:BackgroundRecurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases affecting an approximate 25% of the world's population. Some common etiological factors are genetics, nutritional deficiencies, stress and immune dysfunction. There is currently no specific medication to treat the condition but RAS tends to heal by itself within a week or two. We aimed to explore about the prevalence and related risk factors of recurrent aphthous ulcers among college students aged 18-30 years who had been affected within the preceding six months prior to the study duration.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 681 students from four colleges in Mangalore, Karnataka, India after obtaining the approval for the same from the respective colleges. Consenting participants returned a survey containing various questions. The collected data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.ResultsOf the 681 participants, 322 (47.2%) were affected with RAS in the past six months which included 131 (40.6%) males and 191 (59.3%) females. Single mouth ulcers were the most common presentation seen among the study participants (74.2%). Factors showing statistically significant association were: family history of RAS (P < 0.001), known diabetics (P < 0.001), history of smoking (P < 0.001), oral trauma (P < 0.001), history of wearing braces/dentures (P < 0.001) as well as those using toothpastes containing sodium lauryl sulphate (P < 0.001), stress and lack of sleep (P < 0.001). The most common form of medication used were topical agents (43.1%) (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of RAS and family history of RAS, diabetes, smoking, history of braces/dentures, oral trauma, sodium lauryl sulphate toothpastes, lack of sleep, stress, menstruation, consumption of particular foods and beverages. Further research is needed in this field to truly understand the prevalence and risk factors of RAS and to help in discovering a treatment modality for this condition.

Dataset Information

Sexual assault incidents among college undergraduates: Prevalence and factors associated with risk.

Publications

Sexual assault incidents among college undergraduates: Prevalence and factors associated with risk.

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