African American College Women’s Preferences for Sexual Health Intervention: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract Sexually transmitted infections among college students are a major public health concern and disproportionately impact minority students. The purpose of this study is to examine perceptions, expectations, and preferences for university-based interventions to increase condom negotiating skills among African American college women. One hundred women attending an urban minority institution participated in a qualitative study. A content data analysis allowed for emerging themes across the aggregated data collected from thirteen focus groups. Findings revealed several suggestions to reduce the stigma that cluster around three themes including condom distribution, sexual health education, and women-centered culturally competent health care. The burden of sexual and reproductive health challenges among young adults involves the need for effective prevention and interventions.