Condom availability programs in U.S. schools

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• School condom availability programs are promoted to enhance condom use among students.
• These programs aim to reduce risks of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Preventing unintended pregnancies is another key objective of these initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of school condom availability programs in the U.S. as of January 1995.
• To identify factors associated with higher condom distribution rates in schools.

Main Methods:

• A telephone survey was conducted with key individuals involved in school condom programs nationwide.
• Data collected focused on the number of schools offering condoms and distribution patterns.

Main Results:

• As of January 1995, at least 431 public schools in 50 U.S. school districts provided condoms.
• This represented 2.2% of all public high schools and 0.3% of high school districts.
• In approximately half of surveyed schools, students obtained over one condom per year; 14% saw over six condoms distributed per student annually. Higher distribution was noted in alternative schools, smaller schools, those with "basket" distribution, and schools with health clinics.

Conclusions:

• School condom availability programs were implemented in a small percentage of U.S. public high schools by 1995.
• Specific school characteristics, such as alternative settings or the presence of health clinics, were linked to higher condom distribution rates.