title: Errors and Predictors of Confidence in Condom Use amongst Young Australians Attending a Music Festival.
abstract: Objectives. To determine the confidence and ability to use condoms correctly and consistently and the predictors of confidence in young Australians attending a festival.Methods. 288 young people aged 18 to 29 attending a mixed-genre music festival completed a survey measuring demographics, self-reported confidence using condoms, ability to use condoms, and issues experienced when using condoms in the past 12 months.Results. Self-reported confidence using condoms was high (77%). Multivariate analyses showed confidence was associated with being male (P< 0.001) and having had five or more lifetime sexual partners (P= 0.038). Reading packet instructions was associated with increased condom use confidence (P= 0.011). Amongst participants who had used a condom in the last year, 37% had experienced the condom breaking and 48% had experienced the condom slipping off during intercourse and 51% when withdrawing the penis after sex.Conclusion. This population of young people are experiencing high rates of condom failures and are using them inconsistently or incorrectly, demonstrating the need to improve attitudes, behaviour, and knowledge about correct and consistent condom usage. There is a need to empower young Australians, particularly females, with knowledge and confidence in order to improve condom use self-efficacy.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Karina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0023-2210
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Brieger
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Sukhita H
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8801-0788
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: De Silva
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Benjamin F
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8806-4388
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Youlden
authors.affiliation: Harm Reduction and Health Promotion Programs, HIV and Related Programs (HARP), North Coast Public Health, Mid-North Coast Local Health District, P.O. Box 419, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: John-Leader
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; University Centre for Rural Health, Western Sydney University, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Sabrina W
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2410-0703
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Pit