Original article
Perceived versus actual knowledge about correct condom use among U.S. adolescents: results from a national study

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(00)00213-5Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of three misconceptions about correct condom use and determine whether prevalence of these misconceptions varied by gender, sexual intercourse experience, experience using condoms, and the relationship between adolescents’ actual and perceived knowledge about correct condom use. Variables that predicted misconceptions about correct condom use were also identified.

Methods: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed to determine prevalence of misconceptions among 16,677 adolescents. Misconceptions were: (a) no space at the tip of the condom, (b) Vaseline can be used with condoms, and (c) lambskin protects against the acquired immunodeficiency virus better than latex. Chi-square analyses determined differences in prevalence of misconceptions between male and female adolescents based on their sexual and condom use experience as well as their level of perceived knowledge about correct condom use. Logistic regression models identified predictors of reporting misconceptions.

Results: Depending on intercourse experience and experience using condoms, about one-third to one-half believed the first two misconceptions and about one-fifth believed the latter one. Perception of knowledge about correct condom use was infrequently related to actual knowledge. Misconceptions were less likely among older adolescents, those ever having intercourse, those reporting four or more lifetime intercourse partners, those who had used condoms, females, and those not reporting a religious affiliation.

Conclusions: Misconceptions about correct condom use are common among adolescents. Sexually active adolescents need more complete information about correct condom use.

Section snippets

Sample and procedures

Data for this report were drawn from in-home interviews conducted between April and December 1995 as part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The Add Health study is based on a systematic random sample of students in Grades 7–12 in 134 U.S. secondary schools, with an oversampling of Blacks from well-educated families and Chinese, Cuban, and Puerto Rican students. Over 90,000 students completed in-school paper and pencil questionnaires. Students in these schools

Characteristics of the sample

The sample was composed of 16,677 adolescents, aged 15–21 years [mean 16.8, standard deivation (SD) 1.3]. The majority were white (60.8%), with about one-fifth (22.8%) being black and the remainder American Indian (3.4), Asian (8.2%), and those self-identifying as members of other races (10.0%). Hispanic ethnicity was reported by 18% of the sample. Participants could indicate membership in more than one racial category. Females and males comprised 50.3% and 49.7% of the sample, respectively.

Discussion

This large, national, random sample study revealed an alarming prevalence of misconceptions concerning three basic procedures of correct condom use. The most widely believed misconception was the statement concerning space at the condom tip. Based on sexual intercourse and condom use experience, about one-third to about one-half of the subjects believed that the condom should be placed tightly onto the penis with no space at the tip. However, the validity of the responses to this item may be

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