PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of self-efficacy in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), knowledge of and susceptibility to STD, and the role of gender in sexual autonomy.
METHODS
Data were collected from 267 college students using self-report questionnaires during the period from the first to the twentieth of June 2015. Data were analyzed using χ² test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, simple and multiple regression techniques with the PASW/WIN 20.0 program. Mediation analysis was performed according to the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test.
RESULTS
In male students, self-efficacy for STD prevention showed a full mediating effect in the relationship between STD susceptibility and sexual autonomy (β=-.08, p=.370). But in female students, it had a partial mediating effect (β=-.25, p=.001). And self-efficacy for STD prevention showed partial mediating effects in the relationship between knowledge of STD and sexual autonomy in the both male (β=.25, p=.005) and female students (β=.33, P<.001).
CONCLUSION
To enhance college students' sexual autonomy, it may be useful to build effective strategies enhancing students' knowledge about and susceptibility to STD and to develop a self-efficacy promotion program for college students.

Citations

• The effect of counseling based on Bandura’s self-efficacy theory on sexual self-efficacy and quality of sexual life
  Leila Alimohammadi, Fatemeh Zarei, Mojgan Mirghafourvand
  Women & Health.2020; 60(4): 473.     CrossRef
• Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving Ability, Self Efficacy, and Clinical Performance among Nursing Students: A Structural Equation Model
  Mi Sook Kim, Sue Kyung Sohn
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(4): 380.     CrossRef