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.
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.
Authors: Richard A Crosby; Ralph J DiClemente; Gina M Wingood; Delia Lang; Kathy F Harrington Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Jenny A Higgins; Nicole K Smith; Stephanie A Sanders; Vanessa Schick; Debby Herbenick; Michael Reece; Brian Dodge; J Dennis Fortenberry Journal: Contraception Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 3.375
Authors: Brian Mustanski; Brian A Feinstein; Krystal Madkins; Patrick Sullivan; Gregory Swann Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 2017-08 Impact factor: 2.830