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Two heads are better than one: the association between condom decision-making and condom use errors and problems

Two heads are better than one: the association between condom decision-making and condom use errors and problems
Two heads are better than one: the association between condom decision-making and condom use errors and problems
Objectives: This exploratory study compared the frequency of condom use errors and problems between men reporting that condom use for penile–vaginal sex was a mutual decision compared with men making the decision unilaterally.

Methods: Nearly 2000 people completed a web-based questionnaire. A sub-sample of 660 men reporting that they last used a condom for penile–vaginal sex (within the past three months) was analysed. Nine condom use errors/problems were assessed. Multivariate analyses controlled for men’s age, marital status, and level of experience using condoms.

Results: Men’s unilateral decision-making was associated with increased odds of removing condoms before sex ended (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.51, p?=?0.002), breakage (AOR 3.90, p?=?0.037), and slippage during withdrawal (AOR 2.04, p?=?0.019). Men’s self-reported level of experience using condoms was significantly associated with seven out of nine errors/problems, with those indicating less experience consistently reporting more errors/problems.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that female involvement in the decision to use condoms for penile–vaginal sex may be partly protective against some condom errors/problems. Men’s self-reported level of experience using condoms may be a useful indicator of the need for education designed to promote the correct use of condoms. Education programmes may benefit men by urging them to involve their female partner in condom use decisions.

1368-4973
198-201
Crosby, R.
287a3bd9-30fc-4ed9-8e74-051e35076081
Milhausen, R.
52c18648-f04f-47a1-927f-463327abec2d
Sanders, S. A.
ccb16557-27d8-424b-b0f8-d76c1377b949
Graham, C. A.
ac400331-f231-4449-a69b-ec9a477224c8
Yarber, W. L.
acdbccc2-7321-4384-a6c4-e7cdfe73e7b4
Crosby, R.
287a3bd9-30fc-4ed9-8e74-051e35076081
Milhausen, R.
52c18648-f04f-47a1-927f-463327abec2d
Sanders, S. A.
ccb16557-27d8-424b-b0f8-d76c1377b949
Graham, C. A.
ac400331-f231-4449-a69b-ec9a477224c8
Yarber, W. L.
acdbccc2-7321-4384-a6c4-e7cdfe73e7b4

Crosby, R., Milhausen, R., Sanders, S. A., Graham, C. A. and Yarber, W. L. (2008) Two heads are better than one: the association between condom decision-making and condom use errors and problems. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84 (3), 198-201. (doi:10.1136/sti.2007.027755).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Objectives: This exploratory study compared the frequency of condom use errors and problems between men reporting that condom use for penile–vaginal sex was a mutual decision compared with men making the decision unilaterally.

Methods: Nearly 2000 people completed a web-based questionnaire. A sub-sample of 660 men reporting that they last used a condom for penile–vaginal sex (within the past three months) was analysed. Nine condom use errors/problems were assessed. Multivariate analyses controlled for men’s age, marital status, and level of experience using condoms.

Results: Men’s unilateral decision-making was associated with increased odds of removing condoms before sex ended (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.51, p?=?0.002), breakage (AOR 3.90, p?=?0.037), and slippage during withdrawal (AOR 2.04, p?=?0.019). Men’s self-reported level of experience using condoms was significantly associated with seven out of nine errors/problems, with those indicating less experience consistently reporting more errors/problems.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that female involvement in the decision to use condoms for penile–vaginal sex may be partly protective against some condom errors/problems. Men’s self-reported level of experience using condoms may be a useful indicator of the need for education designed to promote the correct use of condoms. Education programmes may benefit men by urging them to involve their female partner in condom use decisions.

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Published date: 2008
Organisations: Psychology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 206771
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/206771
ISSN: 1368-4973
PURE UUID: dac336ea-50af-4952-8061-d9ccb5f4b108
ORCID for C. A. Graham: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-599X

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Date deposited: 11 Jan 2012 11:21
Last modified: 21 Mar 2024 02:47

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Contributors

Author: R. Crosby
Author: R. Milhausen
Author: S. A. Sanders
Author: C. A. Graham ORCID iD
Author: W. L. Yarber

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