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Do Adolescents and Young Adults Learn About Condoms from Healthcare Providers? Findings from a US Probability Sample

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Abstract

Introduction

Using data from the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, we determined the prevalence and content of adolescents’ and young adults’ communication with healthcare providers about condom use.

Methods

Adolescents (14–17 years old; n = 283) and young adults (18–24 years old, n = 225), who discussed sexual health with a healthcare provider in the past year, reported if they had discussed condom use with a healthcare provider, and among those who did, they also reported why healthcare providers recommended condoms, if they demonstrated correct condom use, and/or provided condoms. Data collection occurred in February and March 2018.

Results

Most adolescents (71.0%) and young adults (66.7%) who discussed sexual health with a healthcare provider reported discussing condom use. Condoms were most often recommended for both pregnancy and STD prevention. Fewer adolescents and young adults were shown how to use condoms (11.4% of adolescents; 5.7% of young adults) or provided condoms (14.9% of adolescents; 14.7% of young adults). Only 3.2% of adolescents and 1.3% of young adults had healthcare providers who discussed, demonstrated, and provided condoms.

Conclusions

Sexual health conversations with healthcare providers are likely to include condoms. But few adolescents and young adults were shown how to use condoms or provide condoms.

Policy Implications

Providing healthcare providers with resources and trainings about how to talk about condoms with patients may lead to more adolescents and young adults learning medically accurate information about condoms. Healthcare offices and clinics could also provide condom use resources outside of provider-patient interactions.

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Acknowledgements

The 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior was funded by Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the maker of Trojan brand sexual health products.

Funding

The NSSHB was funded by Church and Dwight, Inc., who are the makers of Trojan sexual health products.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St. Suite 116, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Callie L. Patterson, Brian Dodge & Debby Herbenick

  2. Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, 1025 E. 7th St., Suite 116, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Callie L. Patterson, Tsung-Chieh (Jane) Fu, Brian Dodge & Debby Herbenick

  3. Divison of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Devon J. Hensel

  4. Department of Sociology, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Devon J. Hensel

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  1. Jonathon J. Beckmeyer
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  3. Tsung-Chieh (Jane) Fu
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Correspondence to Jonathon J. Beckmeyer.

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The study procedures and measures were approved by the Indiana University’s Institutional Review Board.

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Young adult participants provided written informed consent. Adolescent participants provided written assent.

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Beckmeyer, J.J., Patterson, C.L., Fu, TC.(. et al. Do Adolescents and Young Adults Learn About Condoms from Healthcare Providers? Findings from a US Probability Sample. Sex Res Soc Policy 19, 722–736 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00589-4

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