       Document 0196
 DOCN  M9580196
 TI    Why do condoms break or slip off in use? An exploratory study.
 DT    9506
 AU    Richters J; Gerofi J; Donovan B; Department of Public Health, University
       of Sydney, Australia.
 SO    Int J STD AIDS. 1995 Jan-Feb;6(1):11-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95244658
 AB    Men attending 3 sexually transmissible disease clinics and a university
       health clinic in Sydney, Australia, were invited to complete a
       questionnaire on their use of condoms. Respondents were 108 male condom
       user volunteers aged 18 to 62 years; in the last five years 47 had had
       sex with men, 18 with both men and women and 43 only with women. They
       reported using a total of 4809 condoms in the previous 12 months
       (condoms worn by a male partner were not included). The overall breakage
       rate was 4.9% (including condoms breaking during application), while
       3.1% of condoms reportedly slipped off. On a multivariate analysis,
       condom breakage correlated with: (1) male sexual partner(s), (2)
       infrequent condom use, (3) rolling the condom on as per conventional
       instructions (modified application methods appeared protective) and (4)
       having trouble with condoms partially slipping. Factors associated with
       condoms slipping off were (1) young age, (2) being circumcised, (3)
       having less life-time condom experience, (4) rolling the condom on
       conventionally, and (5) having trouble with condoms partially slipping.
       Few men used inappropriate lubricants and no association between
       lubricant type and breakage was found. Though common among our
       respondents, negative attitudes towards condoms, loss of erection during
       condom application or use, finding condoms uncomfortable, and prolonged
       sexual intercourse were not related to success in use. Almost half (49%)
       of the men reported having deliberately removed a condom after the
       beginning of intercourse; 17% had done so 3 or more times. Counselling
       protocols should acknowledge the complexity of condom use.(ABSTRACT
       TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  *Condoms  Equipment Failure  Human  Male  Middle Age
       Questionnaires  Sex Behavior  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/*PREVENTION
       & CONTROL  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

