It’s important to be safe if you choose to be sexually active. What does it mean to be safe while being sexually active?
One part of being safe is understanding being sexually active means being responsible for preventing the contraction and spread of sexually transmitted infections. Using internal and external condoms are a great way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, as well as prevent pregnancy.
The University of Idaho participates in the National College Health Assessment every other year, with the last year participating being Fall 2019. This survey asks questions regarding student health and can provide us with important information about the health of students who are part of the Vandal Family.
According to the assessment, the survey found a little over 40% of students had chosen to have vaginal intercourse within the last two weeks. The survey also found that of college students who had reported having oral sex, vaginal or anal intercourse within the last 30 days, only 41.8% had used a condom or other protective barriers.
Properly used condoms greatly reduce the risk of contracting and spreading sexually transmitted infections. When used properly, condoms are also 98% effective in preventing pregnancy.
If you choose to be sexually active, using condoms can help keep you and others safe. If you do choose to have sex, there are free condoms available for students in several locations on campus. One of those places is the Well Space, which is located on the left as you enter the front doors of the Student Recreation Center, and it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Another place you can access free external and internal condoms is the Women’s Center, located in the Memorial Gym on the first floor. Vandal Health Education also provides condoms in condom dispensers around campus.
There are condom dispensers in the LLC Information Desk bathrooms, the Wallace basement, McConnell basement, the bathrooms on the first floor of the library and the Theophilus Tower basement. If you need condoms for your student organization, residence hall or Greek chapter, you can also order them in bulk and have them delivered.
To order protection in bulk, there is a link available to fill out on the Vandal Health Education website, which you can find by visiting www.uidaho.edu/sexualhealth and then clicking on the form link on the right hand side. The different free condom locations on campus are also listed at the same website. Visit the link to find out more information.