Two hundred thirty-seven college students involved in heterosexual relationships were surveyed to determine the effects of relationship type and use of forms of contraception other than condoms on condom use. Findings indicated that in the context of a short-term, monogamous relationship, the use of another form of birth control was associated with decreased condom use. In addition, 20% of the participants reported that they had wanted to use a condom for disease prevention on at least one occasion but had decided not to do so because they were using another form of contraception. Implications for preventive health are discussed.
PIP: Condom use is the only practice, aside from abstinence, which reliably protects against both sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies. While oral contraceptives are more effective in preventing pregnancy and are often preferred over condoms, condoms are generally used for birth control. Since young people mainly view condoms as a form of contraception, they may believe it is unnecessary to use both condoms and other forms of birth control when having sex. Some sexually active people at risk of STDs and pregnancy may therefore use one effective method of contraception at the expense of condom use. 109 male and 128 female students at a large southwestern university involved in heterosexual relationships were surveyed to determine the effects of relationship type and use of forms of contraception other than condoms upon condom use. Study participants were aged 16-51 years of mean age 22.6, 76% were Caucasian, 14% Black, 5% Hispanic, and 4% Asian American. The students reported having an average of 2.2 sex partners during the past year, with 42% reporting having had 2 or more partners during the period. Survey responses indicate that in the context of a short-term, heterosexual, monogamous relationship, the use of another form of birth control was associated with decreased condom use. 20% of participants reported that they had wanted to use a condom for disease prevention on at least one occasion, but had decided not to do so because they were using another form of contraception.