Exploring patterns of sexual behavior and relationship factors on consistent condom use among U.S. young adult males

Background: The prevention of teen pregnancy has long been the focus of intervention research; however, young adults are a group just as vulnerable to the consequences of unprotected sex. This study examined the associations of patterns of sexual behavior (PSB) and relationship factors (RF) on consistent condom use over the past four weeks and past 12 months among U.S. young adult males. Methods: Using data from the 2006-2008 cycle of the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), respondents consisted of 2,010 males between 18-29 years of age who reported sex with a female in the past year and were not currently trying to get pregnant. Regression analyses were used to examine associations of PSB (age at sex debut, contraceptive use at first sex, number of biological children, and pregnancy status) and RF (contraceptive use at last sex, number of female partners, partner race and age) on consistent condom use, adjusting for age, marital status, race/ethnicity, work status and educational level. Results: With exception of age at sex debut, bivariate analyses found significant associations for all predictors on both outcomes. Age at sex debut, pregnancy status, and contraceptive use at last sex remained significant in multivariate analyses at both time-points. Conclusion: Prior condom use was found to be a major antecedent of consistent condom use among this sample. Promoting condoms as both an effective family planning and disease prevention strategy may have a greater impact on use, particularly among members of this age group who report not wanting an unplanned pregnancy.