Partner-specific condom use among adolescent women clients of a family planning clinic

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 506 - 511
• Main Authors: Plichta, Stacey B., Weisman, Carol S., Nathanson, Constance A., Ensminger, Margaret E., Robinson, J.Courtland
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-09-1992; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescent girls; Biological and medical sciences; Community Health Services; Condoms; Condoms Adolescents Female; Developmental psychology; Factors; Family Planning Services; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Education; Humans; Male; Partners; Population; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Use; Condoms Adolescents Female; Human; Prevention; Condom; Use; Adolescent; Sex partner; Female; Sexual intercourse; Health education; Public health; Americas; Adolescents, Female; Age Factors; United States; Contraceptive Usage; Needs; Viral Diseases; Data Collection; Infections; Research Methodology; North America; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Population Characteristics; Reproductive Tract Infections; Contraceptive Methods; Population; Research Report; Behavior; Adolescents; Demographic Factors; Interviews; Youth; Contraception; Barrier Methods; Hiv Infections; Family Planning; Diseases; Economic Factors; Northern America; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Developed Countries; Sex Behavior; Sexual Partners; Maryland; Multiple Partners
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/1054-139X(92)90015-4

Because inconsistent condom use could put adolescent women at an increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases, it is important to understand when and with whom they use condoms. This study examined partner-specific condom use over time among adolescent women. The data were from a clinic-based, prospective study of 308 adolescent women who had at least one sex partner during a 6-month follow-up. Their condom use was examined with three types of partners: exclusive, nonexclusive primary, and nonexclusive secondary. Predictors of consistent condom use (using condoms 100% of the time with a specific partner) were explored in a multiple logistic regression analysis. Consistent condom use was more likely to occur in shorter relationships (less than 3 months) and with partners who preferred condoms for contraception. It was no more likely to occur with nonexclusive partners than with exclusive partners, and it was somewhat less likely to occur among consistent oral contraceptive users. These findings emphasize the importance of educating adolescent women to introduce and maintain condom use with all partners.