MU scores big with Trojan survey

Trojan ranked schools on aspects of their sexual health programs.

By John Montesantos

Published Nov. 3, 2009

MU placed 48th in the nation in the annual Trojan Sexual Health Report Card, which ranked 141 colleges and universities on access to sexual health information and resources.

MU placed 16 spots higher than last year and moved to fifth in the Big 12.

The report card, now in its fourth year, was run by an independent research firm called Sperling's BestPlaces in partnership with Trojan Brand Condoms. The ranked schools account for 2.5 million undergraduate students, or about 30 percent of all undergraduate students in the country.

The study created overall sexual health grades for each school using data gathered in multiple categories. Each school's student health center was evaluated based on student opinion, office hours and appointment availability. In addition, access to contraceptives on campus, STI testing and awareness programs for students were factored in.

Though multiple criteria led to the final grade, the key component is the school's preparedness to improve its students' sexual health.

"When the students are ready to ask the questions, the health center has the answers available and the help available in terms of their resources," Sperling's BestPlaces President Bert Sperling said.

To gauge this availability for each school, the firm contacted health centers, evaluated health center Web sites and used Facebook campaigns to get the student point of view. Although the quality of the health center carried more weight toward the grade, student opinion was taken into account as well.

"There was a strong correlation between the schools that we saw as lacking in resources and the ones that students felt were not doing an adequate job," Sperling said.

MU's ranking in the top 50 was the result of varying performances in the 13 categories. MU received an A grade in the student survey and condom availability categories, with high marks in HIV and STI testing as well. But average grades in categories based on outreach programs and Web site usability limited the ranking.

In response to MU's C-grade in health center appointment and drop-in availability, Heather Eastman-Mueller, a health promotion professional in the Student Health Center, said the health center requires appointments for students.

"We have a call-first program, which means students must call for an appointment rather than walking in," Eastman-Mueller said. "We have found this to be very effective for students because most of the time students can get in within a day of their call."

Eastman-Mueller is also a curriculum coordinator for the Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education program, which promotes safe and responsible sexual health on campus.

"We pride ourselves on considering all aspects of our students and really try to provide quality, inclusive care," she said. "Our SHAPE program has received national recognition and presented at numerous conferences and our peer educators as sexual health leaders on campus."

Eastman-Mueller said recent improvements related to MU's sexual health include sexual health products machines in six residence halls, free HIV testing every month and a new sexual health class. A student-generated, interactive sexual health Web site is also being created to educate students and provide feedback to student questions.

Bruce Tetreault, group product manager for Trojan Brand Condoms, said creating awareness is the main purpose of this study.

"Our goal with this study is to increase awareness, spark conversation and get people talking about and advocating positively for sexual health on college campuses," Tetreault said in a news release.