Journal of Religion and Health

, Volume 51, Issue 4, pp 1325–1336 | Cite as

HPV High Risk and Protective Behaviors: The Effects of Religious Affiliation

  • Lisa Wigfall
  • Anita Rawls
  • Neethu Sebastian
  • Amy Messersmith
  • Lucia Pirisi-Creek
  • Lisa Spiryda
  • Edith Marie Williams
  • Kim Creek
  • Saundra H. Glover
Original Paper

Abstract

The majority of Americans identify themselves as belonging to some religious group. There is a mixed body of literature on whether or not religious affiliation has an influence on engaging in risky behaviors among young adults attending college. This study examined associations between religious affiliation, risky sexual practices, substance use, and family structure among a sample of predominantly white college females attending a southeastern university. Given the high risk of acquiring genital human papillomavirus infection as a result of high risk sexual practices, gaining a better understanding of how religious affiliation can be used to promote healthy sexual behaviors is warranted.

Keywords

Religious affiliation Risky sexual practices Family influences Substance use College females 

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lisa Wigfall
    • 1
  • Anita Rawls
    • 2
  • Neethu Sebastian
    • 1
  • Amy Messersmith
    • 2
  • Lucia Pirisi-Creek
    • 3
  • Lisa Spiryda
    • 4
  • Edith Marie Williams
    • 1
  • Kim Creek
    • 5
  • Saundra H. Glover
    • 1
  1. 1.Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health DisparitiesUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaUSA
  2. 2.University of South CarolinaColumbiaUSA
  3. 3.Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of MedicineUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaUSA
  4. 4.School of MedicineUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaUSA
  5. 5.College of PharmacyUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaUSA

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