Gender differed factors affecting male condom use. A population-based study of 18-year-old Swedish adolescents.

UNLABELLED: Despite preventive measures promoting the condom as a good barrier method and a good preventive measure for STIs, teenage abortions and STIs are increasing in our society.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore which male factors are associated with non-condom use and also which female factors are associated with non-condom use among their sexual partners.

STUDY GROUP: A population-based study, among all 18-year old girls and boys in four cities in northern Sweden.

METHOD: The participants answered a questionnaire regarding their social lifestyle, psychological-, and sexual health. The associations between the independent variables and the dependent variable (non-condom use) were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Four significant (p<0.05) male variables associated with non-condom use were identified: living with partner during the weekends, feeling depressed, being a party smoker, and girl partner taking oral contraceptives. Two significant (p<0.05) female variables were associated with non-condom: using oral contraceptives and feeling forced into sex. Having TV and movie watching as favourite free time activity was identified as a significant protective female variable associated with condom use.

CONCLUSION

The study found several male and female factors associated with non-condom use, where the usage of oral contraception was the strongest indicator for non-condom use. The study showed a gender difference in the variables associated with condom use and the results have been suggested as useful in future preventive measures promoting condom usage.