Attitudes toward condom use among university students in Santander, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction. Condom use is crucial for preventing sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Given the low prevalence of condom use among university students, the objective of this study is to identify the factors associated with condom use among undergraduate students at a university in Santander. Methodology. Descriptive cross-sectional study. Undergraduate students from different programs at a university, aged between 18 and 25, who were sexually active, were included. The Multidimensional Scale of Attitudes toward Condoms and sociodemographic variables were applied using LimeSurvey. Results. Of 481 students, 33.68% used a condom during their last sexual encounter, and 8.12% engaged in risky sexual behavior. The median score on the scale was 146 (IQR: 135-156), with better attitudes toward condom use among health students (p=0.03) and among a diverse population toward pleasure (p=0.12). Being male (p<0.001) and having a diverse sexual orientation (p<0.001) were associated with risky behavior. Discussion. A low prevalence of condom use was found, similar to that reported by Camacho et al. High overall scores were similar to findings by other authors. The importance of sex education in university settings to reduce risky behaviors is highlighted. Conclusion. Condom use among university students was associated with factors such as gender, marital status, sexual orientation, academic program, and attitudes toward pleasure and shame, highlighting the need for differentiated educational interventions.