A survey of more than 1,400 University students has found that the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases here is consistent with the numbers at schools across the nation.

Results from the National College Health Assessment, an online survey administered last October, found that of those students polled, one percent reported having genital herpes, 0.8 percent reported human papillomavirus and genital warts, 0.5 percent reported hepatitis B, 0.4 percent reported chlamydia, and 0.3 percent reported gonorrhea.

The results are “real consistent with national trends,” said Alan Glass, director of Student Health and Counseling Services.

The survey also found that a large proportion of students at the University aren’t sexually active. In fact, of the 1,400 University students polled in the assessment, approximately one in four students at the University had never had sex.

This year, Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) has found that neither the number of students seeking treatment for STDs nor the types of STDs for which they are seen has varied much from last year. While actual numbers are not available for confidentiality reasons, SHCS says it sees several students each day who request STD testing.

Although statistics have shown that the percentage of the University’s male and female students contracting STDs are about equal, females are much more likely to visit SHCS than males. Two thirds of University females will go to Health Services as needed, as opposed to only one third of University males. Symptoms of STDs are often more difficult to detect in women than they are in men.

The University provides students with STD testing through SHCS. The tests are confidential. Insurance covers testing as it would any other medical procedure. Students can either charge the services by credit card or have them put it on a billing statement, which lists the charge it as a “health service” fee.

Missouri law mandates that a student must give written consent before allowing any outside individual to access his or her medical information. This makes it impossible for anyone-say, a parent-to find out the specific reason for a “health service” charge unless the student grants authorization.

For students who choose to participate in sexual intercourse, Glass suggests two preventative measures against contracting STDs. First, limit the number of partners you have. Second, limit the exchange of fluids.

The most common means of achieving the latter is by using condoms or dental dams, which are thin pieces of latex that a female can use during oral sex to prevent an exchange of fluid.

Condoms are available free of charge at the health center, as well as in residential dorms throughout the South Forty. Student Health and Counseling Services distributes around 40,000 condoms each year on the University campus.

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