| Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection among women has increased dramatically in recent years (CDC, 2018), and this has been attributed to a variety of demographic, social, and physical factors. The CDC has designated women ages 18-44 as a particularly vulnerable group, in part due to higher frequency of riskbehaviors, such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, and frequent substance use (CDC,2008). The current study assessed women’s knowledge of HIV and STD transmission and risk factors, sexual self-efficacy, and sexual violence history, as well as frequency of sexual risk behaviors. A total of 282 female-identified respondents completed the study via the online platform MTurk. Younger women, and women who identified as single, White, and/or LGBTQ+reported significantly higher numbers of risk behaviors. Sexual violence history was significantly associated with more sexual risk behaviors, but was not related to sexual self-efficacy orHIV/STD knowledge. There was a moderating effect of HIV knowledge and sexual self-efficacy; as HIV knowledge and sexual self-efficacy increased, number of sexual risk behaviors decreased. STD knowledge and sexual self-efficacy did not moderate sexual risk-taking behaviors, but were independently associated with fewer risk behaviors. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, widespread, and identity-inclusive sexual health education. Key Words: HIV/AIDS, STDs, women, sexual violence, self-efficacy, risk-taking |