College students now, more than ever, have the ability to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Largely due to new prevention methods and greater access to health information, young adults can change the impact that these diseases continue to have in America. 

Charlotte Petonic, the Assistant Director of Health Promotion and Wellness for the University’s Student Health Center, said that the most common STDs among college students are gonorrhea and chlamydia. 

According to the most recent data from the Center for Disease Control, there are 948,102 reported cases of chlamydia in individuals aged 15-24. This represents 66 percent of all chlamydia cases. The same 2014 data states that gonorrhea cases decreased five percent for individuals aged 15-19 and rose 2.8 percent among young adults aged 20-24.

Petonic said that using a barrier method of protection is important for students who choose to be sexually active. 

“Male condoms are pretty much the most common form of prevention,” she said. “It is a latex barrier method and that protects against pregnancy and most sexually transmitted diseases and infections.”

Petonic stressed the importance of consistently and correctly using condoms for them to be effective. 

“Make sure that you are opening the package properly and you’re making sure that it is stored correctly … that’s really important,” she said.

In addition to male condoms, Petonic said female condoms are now rising in popularity and can also work as a preventive barrier method. 

Petonic also said it is important for students who choose to be sexually active to get tested for STDs.

When students get tested they can get tested at the SHC, at their own providers or anywhere of that nature. Once their provider is able to talk to them and to really assess their risk of having STDs, they’ll be able to test them and talk to them about further prevention methods and what’s best for them in their situation.

Petonic concluded by urging students to take their health seriously.

“We’re living in a day and age where there is so much access to correct health information that the students can definitely reach out for it,” she said.

Female students on campus can be tested for STDs at the SHC but need to make an appointment either by phone or by using the patient portal on MyBama. Male students can either walk in or schedule an appointment.