A recent survey claims 65 percent of Americans are having unprotected sex.
The online survey, conducted by Superdrug Online Doctor, surveyed 1,000 Americans and 1,000 Europeans. A similar survey done by GatorWell Health Promotions Services in 2009 found 31.7 percent of UF students said they used a condom while 32.2 percent of students said they didn’t use a condom.
“There are multiple factors for this,” said Roger Dolz, program administrator at the Alachua County Health Department. “Most college students don’t know where to access condoms for free, and there can be barriers such as transportation and costs.”
According to the Florida Department of Health, Alachua County ranks fourth in Florida with the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases. Dolz said this is because of Gainesville’s college environment.
“We really try to empower students to make their own choices when it comes to sex,” said Samantha Evans, a sexual health educator with GatorWell Health Promotions Services.
Evans promotes safe sex through presentations at residence halls, organization meetings and upon request.
Students can get free condoms at the GatorWell Health Promotions Services main office in the Reitz Union, Jennings Hall, Springs Residential Complex and at the Health Hut, Evans said.
“We do what we can to pro- vide barriers to students for free,” Evans said.
A student distributes free condoms from GatorWell on Turlington Plaza.
