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Condom use errors and problems among college men.

Richard A Crosby·Stephanie A Sanders·William L Yarber·Cynthia A Graham·Brian Dodge
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: An essential yet understudied aspect of condom use is whether they are used correctly. GOAL: The goal of the study was to comprehensively evaluate condom use errors and problems reported by heterosexual college men (N = 158). STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey, involving a 3-month recall period, was conducted. RESULTS: Of the 158 participants, 60% did not discuss condom use with their partner before sex; 42% reported they wanted to use condoms but did not have any available; 43% put condoms on after starting sex; 15% removed condoms before ending sex; 40% did not leave space at the tip; 30% placed the condom upside down on the penis and had to flip it over; and 32% reported losing erections in association with condom use. Nearly one-third reported breakage or slippage during sex. Few participants reported errors related to lubrication, storage, and reusing condoms. Higher error scores were associated with breakage/slippage rather than with consistency of condom use. CONCLUSION: Condom use errors were common, and error scores were associated with breakage and slippage. Increasing the focus on correcting potential user failures may be an important public health strategy.

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CondomsCross-Sectional StudiesEquipment FailureHeterosexualityHumansIndianaMaleSexual BehaviorSexually Transmitted DiseasesSurveys and QuestionnairesUniversitiesJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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Richard A Crosby, Stephanie A Sanders, William L Yarber, Cynthia A Graham, Brian Dodge. 2002. Condom use errors and problems among college men.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00007435-200209000-00010

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