Condom Communication: Reports of Sexually Active Young Adults’ Recent Messages With New Partners

Abstract

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections is high, with recent estimates suggesting 110 million cases (CDC, 2013b). A key method to reducing the risk for sexually transmitted infections is the use of a condom. Consequently, this inquiry aimed to describe the content of and reactions to condom communication. Results revealed the following condom conversation strategies: condom possession, condom exploration, condom demand, and health concerns. Results both support and challenge previous condom studies, therefore extending and informing this line of research. Data further describe reactions to condom conversations and reasons for not having a condom conversation. Findings provide tangible evidence to be used in the training of sexually active young adults.

Supplemental Material

A supplemental appendix (Survey Questions) is available on the publisher’s website at https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2017.1355420.

Notes

¹ Of 130 returned surveys, 11 were removed because of incomplete responses or participants indicated they had never had sex. Of those identified as heterosexual, 22 (18.5%) responded yes to an item asking whether participants had ever had physical sexual contact with someone of the same sex. The demographic questions were largely based on Horan (2016).

² Using criteria presented by Based on Desiderato and Crawford (1995), participants were asked: In a given week, I consume _____ drinks of alcohol (a drink is 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1-1 1⁄2 ounces of hard liquor). Additionally, they were asked: In a given week, I consume illegal drugs ____ times a week. Participants reported consuming M = 3.54 (SD = 6.09) drinks a week and using illegal drugs M = 1.76 (SD = 5.66) times a week.

³ To capture messages that were communicated between partners, participants were instructed to write down as much of the conversation they could remember. If participants indicated that they did communicate about condom use, they were asked to respond to the following open-ended questions: Who initiated the topic (you, or your partner)? If YOU initiated the conversation, what did you say? In other words, how did you communicate that you wanted your partner to wear a condom (e.g., what was verbally and/or nonverbally communicated)? How did your partner react? If YOUR PARTNER initiated the conversation, what did he/she say (e.g., what was verbally and/or nonverbally communicated)? How did you react (e.g., what was verbally and/or nonverbally communicated), If a condom was not used, why not? If participants indicated that there was not a conversation about condom use, they were asked to respond to the following open-ended question: Why was there NOT a conversation about wearing a condom?

⁴ This study aimed to provide a demographic data about how many participants wore a condom in their most recent sexual experience with a new partner. Due to a formatting error, the question gauging this read: In that sexual experience, did your partner wear a condom? This item should have read, did you or your partner wear a condom? With those limitations in mind, the following responses were obtained: 44.5% of all participants reported that they used condoms in their most recent sexual encounter with a new partner. There were no significant differences between condom use and previous knowledge of a partner (x²(1, 118) = .090, ns). Additionally, an independent samples t-test was conducted to see whether there were differences between condom use (M = 3.72, SD = 5.20) and nonuse (M = 3.44, SD = 6.81) on average alcohol consumption. Results reveal no significant differences on condom use and alcohol use: t (115) = −.245, ns, or average weekly drug consumption t (116) = .320, ns (did not wear a condom M = 1.92 times a week illegal drugs are consumed, SD = 6.91, did wear a condom M = 1.58, SD = 3.71). Of the individuals who previously reported they used a condom, 41% had a conversation about condom use. Of those who did not use a condom, 37.5% reported they had a conversation about condom use. Of the 24 participants that did not have a conversation about condom use, 10 of those individuals did use a condom. Of the 8 that individuals that reported testing positively for an STI, 6 wore a condom in their most recent sexual interaction.