M Wulff1, A Lalos. 1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze in detail the latest Swedish population survey regarding condom use in order to gain a deeper knowledge of the characteristics of women and men using or not using condoms at a time when the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) had started to increase. METHODS: From a population-based survey of sexual life in Sweden among men and women aged between 18 and 74 years (n = 2810), we investigated the use of condoms in relation to social demographic, lifestyle, sexual and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: In the age group 18-49 years, every third person had experience of a legal abortion and every fourth had had an STI. Overall, use of condoms was 12% in the whole population and 15% in the age group 18-49 years. Using a condom as a method of contraception, as opposed to other methods, was found to be less frequent in six subgroups: when coitus was less frequent, age above 25 years, among those who had had many partners and those with earlier experience of abortion or STI, as well as having a risky behavior. Using a condom as a preventive against contracting an STI occurred less often in women and men older than 25 years and among those having coitus more frequently. CONCLUSION: Even with good information and easy accessibility to condoms, there are still obstacles to their use. To achieve the aim of safer sexual practice, it is a challenge for the couple as well as for counselors to reason about the advantages and disadvantages of not using a condom. Discussions about attitudes, behavior and gender differences must be continued and emphasized in coming generations, both on the individual and on a societal level, in order to achieve safer sexual practice.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze in detail the latest Swedish population survey regarding condom use in order to gain a deeper knowledge of the characteristics of women and men using or not using condoms at a time when the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) had started to increase. METHODS: From a population-based survey of sexual life in Sweden among men and women aged between 18 and 74 years (n = 2810), we investigated the use of condoms in relation to social demographic, lifestyle, sexual and behavioral characteristics. RESULTS: In the age group 18-49 years, every third person had experience of a legal abortion and every fourth had had an STI. Overall, use of condoms was 12% in the whole population and 15% in the age group 18-49 years. Using a condom as a method of contraception, as opposed to other methods, was found to be less frequent in six subgroups: when coitus was less frequent, age above 25 years, among those who had had many partners and those with earlier experience of abortion or STI, as well as having a risky behavior. Using a condom as a preventive against contracting an STI occurred less often in women and men older than 25 years and among those having coitus more frequently. CONCLUSION: Even with good information and easy accessibility to condoms, there are still obstacles to their use. To achieve the aim of safer sexual practice, it is a challenge for the couple as well as for counselors to reason about the advantages and disadvantages of not using a condom. Discussions about attitudes, behavior and gender differences must be continued and emphasized in coming generations, both on the individual and on a societal level, in order to achieve safer sexual practice.