Determinants of condom use: results of the Canadian Community Health Survey 3.1.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the independent effects of mood disorder, age, race/ethnicity, personal income, being a current student, having a regular medical doctor and substance use in relationship to condom use at last intercourse in a Canadian population stratified by sex.


METHODS
We used Cycle 3.1 of the 2006 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 3.1), a population-based, voluntary, cross-sectional survey of subjects ages 12-85 years. Data collection took place between January and December 2005. From the survey, a study sample of 20,975 people was drawn, consisting of individuals providing valid responses (yes/no) to mood disorder and last-time condom use. The question of sexual behaviours was asked only of those ages 15-49 years. Logistic regression was used to examine individual variables as potential determinants of last-time condom use stratified by sex.


RESULTS
The relationship between mood disorder and condom use was non-significant in both males (AOR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.70-1.04) and females (AOR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.78-1.03). Increasing age was found to be inversely associated with last-time condom use in both males and females. Male factors significantly associated with last-time condom use were being of white ethnicity (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.64-0.79) and being a current student (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI =1.16-1.42). Female factors associated with last-time condom use were being of white ethnicity (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.63-0.79) and being a former drinker (AOR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.63-3.11).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results identify important determinants of last-time condom use in both males and females in the CCHS 3.1. These findings may have important implications for the devising and implementation of safe sex programs in a Canadian population ages 15-49 years.
Dhalla
Shayesta
S
School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3. shayestadhalla@yahoo.com
Poole
Gary
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult