2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

336756
Feelings about condom application, condom use behaviors, and sexual satisfaction among a nationally representative sample of the US


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Aleta Baldwin, MA, School of Public Health, Indiana University Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Bloomington, IN
Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Brian Dodge, PhD, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Michael Reece, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Stephanie Sanders, PhD, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Background: With consistent and correct use, condoms are effective at reducing STI and pregnancy. Previous research identifies attitudes and beliefs about condoms as barriers to their use. Positive associations with condom use are often overlooked, despite research finding that adults are as likely to rate a sexual event positively with a condom than without a condom. 

Objective: Evaluate the relationships between feelings regarding condom application, duration of condom use, and satisfaction at last event. 

Methods: Data were collected from a nationally representative probability sample of adults and adolescents in the US as part of the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behaviors. Relationships between condom use and orgasm, and attitudes regarding condom application and condom use were assessed using χ2 tests.

Results: Many participants (44.2%) reported that condom application “was no big deal.” Approximately 30% of those who reported condom use felt relief at using protection, while the same percentage felt that using a condom allowed them to relax and enjoy, given the reduced risk. Compared to those who did not use a condom for the entire event, those who did were more likely to report orgasm (χ2 = 4.55, P = 0.03). Those who felt relieved when using a condom (χ2 = 7.81, P = 0.005) or relaxed when using a condom (χ2 = 5.37, P = 0.02) were also more likely to report using a condom for the duration. 

Conclusions: Positive feelings about condom application are related to condom use during the entire sexual event, which itself is associated with orgasm.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify the most frequently reported feelings about the application of condoms Describe the relationship between feelings about the application of condoms, their use, and sexual satisfaction

Keyword(s): Contraception, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a doctoral candidate in applied health science and research coordinator at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion in the School of Public Health-Bloomington at Indiana University. My research focus is on sexual health and sexual behaviors.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4253.0: Thinking about condoms