Army women's reasons for condom use and nonuse.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine Army women's condom use patterns, reasons for condom use and nonuse, and what is liked about and problems associated with condom use.


METHODS
Army women (n = 131) from military posts around the country were recruited. The women ranged in age from 18 to 68 years (M = 30.5, SD = 10.5). The sample was of mixed ethnicity. Questionnaires were distributed by the units and returned directly to the principal investigator. Participants completed a series of anonymous open- and closed-ended questions regarding their experiences with condoms. Closed-ended questions were analyzed with descriptive statistics and open-ended responses were content analyzed (McLaughlin & Marascuilo, 1990).


CONCLUSIONS
Regular condom use was low in this sample. The most often cited responses as to why women liked using condoms included peace of mind, protection, or ease of use. The most cited problems and subsequent disuse included irritation/inflammation, breakage, improper fit, or ruining the moment. Results differed by consistency of condom use. Regular users of condoms reported a lower percentage of problems using condoms.
von Sadovszky
Victoria
V
College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. von-sadovszky.1@osu.edu
Ryan-Wenger
Nancy
N
Germann
Sara
S
Evans
Megan
M
Fortney
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health