Problems with condoms -- a population-based study among Finnish men and women.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates men's and women's opinions of condom use and problems with it in real life.


METHODS
Random samples of men and women, aged 18-50 years, were drawn from the Finnish Population Register and were mailed a questionnaire on family planning. Response rates were 36% for men (706) and 58% for women (1136). Respondents were asked e.g. about condom use, whether they had had problems with it and why they used condoms. Moreover they were asked if they had received advice on how to use condoms.


RESULTS
Among both men and women 87% had at some time used condoms. Of all men 37% and of women 34% reported that they had at some time had a failure with condom use; among both men and women one in four had experienced condom breakage. The use of condoms with the main purpose of preventing sexually transmitted diseases was somewhat low. The proportion of respondents having received advice on condom use was greater among younger men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
A patient with problems in condom use is not uncommon in consultations in primary health care, and thus personnel working there hold a key position in promoting condom use. The role of school health care should be assured to offer basic sexual and reproductive counselling to every generation.
Kirkkola
Anna-Leena
AL
Medical School, Department of General Practice, University of Tampere, Finland.
Mattila
Kari
K
Virjo
Irma
I
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires