RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does it fit okay? Problems with condom use as a function of self-reported poor fit
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 36
OP 38
DO 10.1136/sti.2009.036665
VO 86
IS 1
A1 R A Crosby
A1 W L Yarber
A1 C A Graham
A1 S A Sanders
YR 2010
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/86/1/36.abstract
AB Objective To identify associations between men's self-reports of ill-fitting condoms and selected condom use problems, using an event-specific analysis.Methods A convenience sample of men was recruited via advertisements in newspapers (two urban and one small town) and a blog on the website of a condom sales company. Men completed a questionnaire posted on the website of The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. Inclusion criteria were: at least 18 years old, used condoms for penile–vaginal intercourse in the past 3 months and the ability to read English.Results In controlled, event-specific, analyses of 436 men, those reporting ill-fitting condoms (44.7%) were significantly more likely to report breakage (adjusted odds ratio (AOR 2.6), slippage (AOR 2.7), difficulty reaching orgasm, both for their female partners (AOR 1.9) and for themselves (AOR 2.3). In addition, they were more likely to report irritation of the penis (AOR 5.0) and reduced sexual pleasure, both for their female partner (AOR 1.6) and for themselves (AOR 2.4). Furthermore, they were more likely to report that condoms interfered with erection (AOR 2.0), caused erection loss (AOR 2.3), or became dry during sex (AOR 1.9). Finally, they were more likely to report removing condoms before penile–vaginal sex ended (AOR 2.0).Conclusions Men and their female sex partners may benefit from public health efforts designed to promote the improved fit of condoms.