Determining factors for condom use: A survey of young Italian adults

To identify factors that can hinder condom use in a sample of young adults.

The survey was carried out using a self-administered standardised anonymous questionnaire modified from the self-efficacy scale Condom Use Skill Measure. The questionnaire was administered to 1091 school-leavers who were attending a pre-university study course in August 2008 at Bari University, Italy.

Of those interviewed, 88% had had sexual intercourse and the average age at the first experience was 16.8 years. The frequency of condom use at the most recent sexual intercourse was 52.6%. Non-condom use was associated with not having a condom immediately available, with problems in the partner accepting this particular barrier method, with the belief that proposing its use could lead to problems between the couple, with the assumption of not risking anything, with the fear that it causes irritation and with the belief that it does not feel natural.

Our survey shows that there are opinions and attitudes held by young adults which hinder condom use. They should be a targeted by health education.