Sexual relationships, condom use, and concerns about pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases

As we move further into the 21st century, there are increasing numbers of teenagers and young adults infected with sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Aside from sexual abstinence, condom use is the best way to protect oneself from sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Participants in this study were predominantly female, predominantly Caucasian psychology students who experienced sexual intercourse with an opposite sex partner in the past year. Slightly fewer than half of these participants reported condom use at their last episode of vaginal intercourse and type of partner did not affect their condom use, nor did concern about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and sexually transmitted diseases. Findings such as these challenge advanced practice nurses to generate innovative strategies to promote condom use in all types of relationships. We propose that teaching about the link between cervical cancer and lack of condom use could be one of these new strategies.