The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Sexual risk-taking at home and on holidays: the importance of context for the late application of condoms

Sexual risk-taking at home and on holidays: the importance of context for the late application of condoms
Sexual risk-taking at home and on holidays: the importance of context for the late application of condoms
Several studies have examined condom use during ‘holiday’ sex but have not considered condom errors in this context. This study aims to identify factors associated with late application of condoms during participants’ most recent vaginal intercourse at home and away from home (holidays or short breaks). Method: Participants aged 19–30 years from a national Irish survey were recontacted (n = 388; 51% men; mean age: 23.9 years). Telephone interviews regarding participants’ most recent sex at home (n = 362) and away from home (n = 178) were conducted. Results: A higher proportion reported condom use away from home (79% v. 62%), with a lower prevalence of late application (14% v. 24%). Pregnancy prevention as the primary motive for condom use increased the odds of late application at home (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.10–9.90) and away (AOR: 3.97, 95% CI: 1.36–11.59). A weak desire to use a condom also increased the likelihood of late application at home (AOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.03–5.62) and away (AOR: 11.18, 95% CI: 2.84–43.98). Subgroup analysis of those reporting both sexual events suggests that young adults take greater sexual risks with casual partners at home compared to away. Conclusions: The findings suggest that young adults take greater sexual risks at home than when away. Regardless of location, young adults are most likely to report late application when they have a weak desire to use a condom and when they use condoms primarily to prevent pregnancy
1448-5028
Cousins, Grainne
2d91bd97-feb1-46ac-9707-896cc0764c0c
Layte, Richard
1b5607ee-6bd9-40d9-a74c-1fb6e204150a
Ingham, Roger
e3f11583-dc06-474f-9b36-4536dc3f7b99
McGee, Hannah
a5d95c46-f514-4e79-aa6a-8b66eb644dec
Cousins, Grainne
2d91bd97-feb1-46ac-9707-896cc0764c0c
Layte, Richard
1b5607ee-6bd9-40d9-a74c-1fb6e204150a
Ingham, Roger
e3f11583-dc06-474f-9b36-4536dc3f7b99
McGee, Hannah
a5d95c46-f514-4e79-aa6a-8b66eb644dec

Cousins, Grainne, Layte, Richard, Ingham, Roger and McGee, Hannah (2013) Sexual risk-taking at home and on holidays: the importance of context for the late application of condoms. Sexual Health. (doi:10.1071/SH13079). (PMID:23838080)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Several studies have examined condom use during ‘holiday’ sex but have not considered condom errors in this context. This study aims to identify factors associated with late application of condoms during participants’ most recent vaginal intercourse at home and away from home (holidays or short breaks). Method: Participants aged 19–30 years from a national Irish survey were recontacted (n = 388; 51% men; mean age: 23.9 years). Telephone interviews regarding participants’ most recent sex at home (n = 362) and away from home (n = 178) were conducted. Results: A higher proportion reported condom use away from home (79% v. 62%), with a lower prevalence of late application (14% v. 24%). Pregnancy prevention as the primary motive for condom use increased the odds of late application at home (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.10–9.90) and away (AOR: 3.97, 95% CI: 1.36–11.59). A weak desire to use a condom also increased the likelihood of late application at home (AOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.03–5.62) and away (AOR: 11.18, 95% CI: 2.84–43.98). Subgroup analysis of those reporting both sexual events suggests that young adults take greater sexual risks with casual partners at home compared to away. Conclusions: The findings suggest that young adults take greater sexual risks at home than when away. Regardless of location, young adults are most likely to report late application when they have a weak desire to use a condom and when they use condoms primarily to prevent pregnancy

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

e-pub ahead of print date: July 2013

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 356542
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/356542
ISSN: 1448-5028
PURE UUID: 1cf6ed2f-eef6-4e60-bd9d-0896df9cd61f

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 20 Sep 2013 07:53
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 14:49

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: Grainne Cousins
Author: Richard Layte
Author: Roger Ingham
Author: Hannah McGee

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×