The Attitudes towards Barriers of Condom Use and Errors among High School Boy Students

Abstract

The National Condom Strategy of Ministry of Public Health found an increased in the rate of condom use among sexually active adolescents. However the prevalence rate of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Thai adolescent ages 15-24 years of age is increasing dramatically. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the attitudes towards barriers of condom use, problems and condom use errors among high school boy students. The samples included 148 high school boy students in 10^th to12^th grade who had condom use experiences in ten high schools, Muang Phitsanulok District. Two measurements consisted of 1) the attitudes towards barriers of condom use, and 2) problems and errors of condom use. The reliability was tested by Alpha Cronbach’s 0.89, and 0.91, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

          The study results revealed that mean scores of attitudes towards barriers of condom use among high school boy students was moderate. Condom use errors included not leaving a gap at the tip of condom, not pinching the tip of condom after rolling it down, and waiting to remove the condom after sex was concluded. The condom use problems were not checking for breaking of the condom before sex, poorly fitting condom, and loss of sex simulation while using a condom. Results from this study could improve health education programs and promote condom effectiveness among adolescents and to decrease the sexually transmitted diseases rate and teenage pregnancy.