University students have increased their knowledge of safer sex in the past few years, but still are not taking enough precautions against AIDS, said a University health educator who has conducted annual surveys.

In a 1987 study conducted by Patricia Koch, assistant professor of health education, 93 percent of females and 82 percent of males surveyed said they had a good understanding of what safer sex meant. Koch explained this does not necessarily mean students are experts on the subject, but it does show student awareness.

Koch said 54 percent of the females and 44 percent of the males said they were practicing safer sex methods.

However, she added, "This is the students' self-perception of their safe sex practices. I would guess the numbers are lower than what they say."

Koch said in comparison to a study done in 1986, there had been an increase in the number of students practicing safe sex in the 1987 study.

"This is still not enough people to say that the Penn State community is protecting themselves against AIDS transmission,"she said.

Elaine Jurs, assistant director of the Office of Health Promotion and Education at the University's Ritenour Health Center, said college students are at a time in their lives when they are engaging in activities such as sexual intercourse that may lead to AIDS.

"If students are having unprotected sex then they are at risk (for AIDS)," Jurs said, adding that a majority of students have probably engaged in unprotected sex at least once or twice.

Koch said since a person could contract AIDS in college but not be aware of it until years after graduation, college students need to protect themselves against AIDS now.

Jurs said most students are not protecting themselves because they do not think they are at risk of contracting AIDS. Also, students do not worry about AIDS because the consequences are so far off in the distance. They are more worried about pregnancy and about contracting other sexually transmittable diseases.

By using a condom during sexual intercourse and knowing how to use it properly, students can reduce the risk of infecting themselves as well as their partners, she said.

Since AIDS is a disease contracted through exchange of bodily fluids such as blood or semen, the condom protects by acting as a barrier that inhibits the flow of these fluids, Jurs said.

Monica Rodriguez (junior-psychology and IFS), peer educator for both the Sexual Health Awareness and Resource Program (SHARP) and the Peer Contraception Education Program (PCEP), said she hopes students are using condoms.

"Condoms are the only thing you can do to protect yourself from AIDS," she said.

Jurs said a lot of students are beginning to incorporate safer sex practices by using condoms and spermicide, but there are always have students engaging in risk activities because they think it is thrilling or they want to avoid thinking about AIDS.

Pam Madden (junior-speech communications) said she believes the public is worried about AIDS and they know about safe sex and condoms.

"Whether students are using safe sex practices . . . who knows?" she said.

Melissa King (freshman-business administration) said,"I think the public is more aware of AIDS, but I don't think students are changing their sexual habits."

However, she added, advertisements promoting safer sex by the use of condoms has made the public more open about safer sex and condoms.

"It's no longer a big deal to go buy a condom,"she said.

Phil Fuentes (sophomore-health education), peer educator for SHARP, said he and other educators emphasize communication between partners in making choices about safe sex.

"Even though a woman may be taking birth control, one of the partners may want to use a condom during intercourse. However, he or she may not know how to bring up the topic," Fuentes said.

Research shows students have the basic information about AIDS and safe sex, but students do not know how to use it, he said.