Prevalence of condom use and associated factors in a sample of university students in southern Brazil

Abstract

This article focuses on the frequency of condom use and associated factors in university students, based on a cross-sectional study of 633 students in 2006. Associations were investigated using a logistic regression model with 5% significance. Condom use prevalence was 60%. Having candidiasis was a protective factor for condom use in both sexual initiation (OR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.31-0.79) and the most recent sexual intercourse (OR = 0.39; 95%CI: 0.24-0.65). Condom use was associated with single marital status (OR = 2.89; 95%CI: 1.60-5.23) and having a sex partner from the health field (OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.34-0.75). Condom use was high in all sexual relations in this sample of university students. Single marital status and having a sex partner from a health-related course were positively associated with condom use in the most recent intercourse. Self-reported genital candidiasis was protective for condom use during early sexual activity and in the most recent sexual relation. Belonging to the health field did not show a significant impact on the use of male condoms.