title: Condom availability programs in Massachusetts high schools: relationships with condom use and sexual behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed relationships between condom availability programs accompanied by community discussion and involvement and adolescent sexual practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sexual practice and condom use differences were assessed in a representative sample of 4166 adolescents enrolled in high schools with and without condom availability programs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents in schools where condoms were available were more likely to receive condom use instruction and less likely to report lifetime or recent sexual intercourse. Sexually active adolescents in those schools were twice as likely to use condoms, but less likely to use other contraceptive methods, during their most recent sexual encounter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strategy of making condoms available, an indication of socioenvironmental support for condom use, may improve HIV prevention practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention and Community Health, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC 20037, USA. smblake1@aol.com
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ledsky
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goodenow
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lohrmann
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Windsor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002648:Child; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D016134:Organizational Policy; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*