Condom USE: Relationship Between KNOWLEDGE, Correct Application and Failures in Their use

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the level of knowledge on how to use a condom, the demonstrated ability to place and remove it from a penis model for teaching and, the frequency of the condom use failures that ocurred during the intercourse, as well as investigate whether these variables are associated with breakage and slippage of the condoms during the intercourse. The participants were 939 sexually active Mexican university students (62.5% women) with a mean age of 19 years. The results show that the level of knowledge was positively correlated only with the demonstrated ability to use condoms (r = .373, p < .01), and this one, in turn, was negatively correlated only with the frequency of condom failures (r = - .355, p < .01). Also, condom breakage and slippage were associated with failures in their use. Finally, the frequency of condom use was negatively correlated only with the frequency of the failures (r = -0.254, p < .01). The results are discussed in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention, considering the importance of collecting data that serve as objective indicators of correct condom use.