Fraternity and sorority membership and risky sexual behavior.

Objectives: To determine the impact of fraternity and sorority membership on condom use during sex.

Methods: Utilizing data from The American College Health Association (ACHA) National College Health Assessment from 2016-2018, we estimated a linear probability, logistic, and instrumental variable model to determine the relationship between fraternity and sorority membership and the frequency of condom use during sex.

Results: Compared to non-fraternity members, fraternity members experience an increase in sex without a condom for both oral sex (13.5%, 95% ci= 0.048, 0.221) and anal sex (28.5%, 95% ci= 0.174, 0.396). Compared to non-sorority members, sorority members are more likely to engage in oral sex without a condom. This result is not robust to single sorority members.

Conclusions: Fraternity membership increases the probability of risky oral and anal sex. Policy Implications: The reduced use of condoms has implications on sexual health including an increased risk of contracting or spreading sexually transmitted infections.