An exploratory study of condom sabotage and sexual health risk indicators in college students

Condom sabotage is a form of sexual assault that violates bodily autonomy, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The current study explored associations between reports of condom sabotage and sexual risk indicators among college students. College students (N = 466) completed a web-based cross-sectional survey. Students who reported experiencing condom sabotage were significantly more likely to describe themselves as single in comparison to students who described themselves as partnered (p = .002). After adjusting for relationship status, condom sabotage was significantly associated with reporting having multiple sexual partners (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.27; 95% CI, 2.22-42.28; p = .003), and being treated in the past 12 months for an STI (adjusted OR [aOR], 1,84; 95% CI, 1.82-21.98; p = . 004). The manuscript offers practical recommendations to develop health communication campaigns and public health interventions to prevent sexual assault, including condom sabotage, among college students.