title: Purchasing condoms near a college campus: environmental barriers.
abstract: Background Given the propensity for college students to engage in sexual activity and the subsequent lack of consistent condom use, there is a need to determine environmental factors that may be motivating or deterring factors for college students to access condoms. This study aimed to determine the number of businesses available to purchase condoms from near a large, south-eastern college campus and investigate environmental differences between types of businesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Environmental factors (e.g. distance from campus, barriers to purchasing, selection availability and price) were collected among businesses within a 2-mile radius of the campus. Both χ(2) and ANOVA determined significant differences between types of businesses (P≤0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two businesses sold condoms, 66.7% of which were convenience-type stores. The average distance from the campus was 1.33 miles (s.d.=0.58). The average unit price of male condoms was significantly higher in drug store/pharmacies (M=1.68) compared with convenience-type stores (M=1.22) and grocery stores (M=0.97); P=0.005. Assistance was needed to purchase condoms in 25% of businesses. Barriers to purchasing condoms were significantly higher in convenience stores/gas stations (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Environmental barriers related to purchasing condoms exist and must be considered when targeting sexual health promotion on college campuses.
authors: Transylvania University, 300 North Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508, USA.
authors: Annie M
authors: AM
authors: Wilson
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, University of Kentucky, 111 Seaton Building, Lexington, KY 40506-0219, USA.
authors: Melinda J
authors: MJ
authors: Ickes