Condom use errors and problems in a national sample of young croatian adults

Abstract

In this study,weexamined the correlates of condom use errors and problems in a population-based study conducted in 2010amongyoung Croatian adults aged 18-25 years. Out of a total sample of 1,005 participants, 679 reported condom use in the preceding year.The analyses focusedon four outcomes: condom breakage, condom slippage, condom-related erection loss, anddelayedcondomapplication. Eighteen percentofparticipants experienced breakage, 13% reported slippage, 17% reported erection loss, and34%applied a condomafter intercourse started. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the correlates of these condomuse errors and problems. Condom breakage was less likely to be reported by women and older participants. The odds of breakagewere increased for participants who reported being under the influence of drugs during sex and who reported other condom use errors and problems in the past year. Condomslippagewasmore likely to occur among younger participants and those who reported condom breakage and delayed condom application. Condom-related erection loss waspositively associated with ahighernumberof sexualpartners in theprecedingyear, condombreakage,anda higher scoreonthe Anti-Erotic Obstacles to Condom Use Scale. Odds of delayed condom application were increased for participants who experienced condom breakage and for those who consumed alcohol before sex in the past year.Having used a condom at first sex significantly reduced the odds of applying a condom after intercourse started. In comparison to non-habitual condom users, habitual userswere found less likely to report any of the assessed condom use errors and problems. Improving condom use skills remains an important task in Croatia, which is currently hampered by the absence of evidence-based sex education in schools. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.