| Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health challenge for the United States and Puerto Rico (PR). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of the independent variables of sociodemographics, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control and intention to sexual risk behavior related to STIs among Puerto Rican freshman graduate students. The theory of planned behavior served as the theoretical framework. A survey was administered on a voluntary basis to all 179 incoming graduate students registered in a core course in the Fall of 2011. The research questions investigated the degree to which attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and demographics relate to sexual risk in graduate students in PR and the degree to which intention related to sexual risk behavior of graduate students in PR predisposes them to STIs. The logistic regression model revealed that only perceived behavioral control, age, marital status, and income were statistically related to sexual risk behavior. This study provides evidence of the need for innovative health education and prevention programs that are demographically and culturally targeted to specific populations. Implications for positive social change include positive impact on safer sex practices and improved access to preventive sexual health care. |
