Condom use at sexual debut and subsequent condom use: a test of the imprinting hypothesis

Abstract

Purpose: Sexually active adolescents remain at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). Regular condom use provides protection against STI’s, but determinants of adolescent condom use are only partially understood. While acknowledging the influence of demographic, individual, behavioral and partnership characteristics on condom use in adolescents, we draw from evidence in behavioral science suggesting regular patterns of behavior are often established by early experiences. We propose an imprinting hypothesis, which predicts using a condom during sexual debut will increase the likelihood of subsequent condom use, independent of other relevant associations.