College students' reasons for nonuse of condoms within dating relationships

Two hundred ten heterosexual undergraduates in dating relationships were surveyed about reasons for not using condoms every time for vaginal and anal sex and for increasing or decreasing condom use during their relationships. Half of the respondents reported consistent condom use in the first month of their relationships, while only 34% reported consistent condom use in the past month. Subjective assessments of partner safety and the belief that sufficient measures were being taken to avoid pregnancy were important reasons for condom nonuse. Study results suggest that interventions should emphasize the importance of objectively assessing HIV/STD risk before reducing condom use within relationships. Interventions also need to provide additional information on the riskiness of heterosexual anal sex.