The validity of self-reported condom use among adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Research and public health interventions designed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often are based on self-reported condom use. Yet, validation of self-reported condom use, in particular with adolescents, has rarely been described in the literature.


METHODS
Baseline data were obtained from 540 adolescents, 13-21 years of age, enrolled in a 1-year longitudinal study of health beliefs, sexual behaviors, and STD acquisition. Of the 445 participants reporting to be sexually active, 404 (90.8%) agreed to a complete physical examination, including a genital examination, with STD screening after completing the self-administered written questionnaire. Participants' written self-report of condom use was compared to histories obtained by clinicians and laboratory diagnosis of acute STDs to assess validity of written self-report.


RESULTS
Complete data were available for 321 females and 77 males of whom 52 females and 5 males had laboratory evidence of 63 infections. Although three individuals who had STDs reported to be consistent users of condoms, a significant association (P < 0.05) was found between those who reported more frequent condom use with the last two partners and the absence of STDs.


CONCLUSIONS
In this group of adolescents, self-report of condom use with the last two partners was associated with the absence of an acute STD. This finding suggests that self-reported condom use is a valid indicator of risk for STDs, with implication for those working with adolescents clinically and in research contexts.
Shew
M L
ML
Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455-0392, USA.
Remafedi
G J
GJ
Bearinger
L H
LH
Faulkner
P L
PL
Taylor
B A
BA
Potthoff
S J
SJ
Resnick
M D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*