Kinsey Institute studies condom use

McGraw-Hill

Erick Janssen, Ph.D. and Stephanie Sanders, Ph.D. at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction are undergoing a study to determine some of the possible barriers to correct condom use.

It’s been reported that failure to use condoms correctly may not only lead to unintended pregnancy, but the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, like HIV. This is most often due to condoms breaking or slipping off.

Although consistent and correct use of condoms has been widely recommend as a public health strategy against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, large studies have not been done previously to determine what may cause errors in condom use. According to The Kinsey Institute, about half of the new HIV infections in the US are among people under 25 years of age with the majority infected through sexual behavior. About a third of new diagnoses of HIV/AIDS is attributed to heterosexual transmission.

Since correct and consistent condom use really relies on men being willing and able to use condoms effectively, this research project will help determine more effective strategies for educating people about correct condom use.

For more information about this study, visit The Kinsey Institute online.