A new meta-analysis evaluating condom use across studies and more than a quarter million U. The analysis suggests teens also need to feel confident about buying and using condoms, they need to plan to use them, and they need to be able to communicate effectively with their partners about condom use.
For example, our analysis really underscores the importance of effective communication between partners about condom use, which tells us that future programs should prioritize developing this skill set in teens. For this meta-analysis, the researchers drew on data from studies published between and Collectively, those studies involved , study participants with a mean age of just over The researchers synthesized the data from those studies using statistical techniques to examine 36 different predictors of condom use.
The researchers then conducted a series of analyses designed to identify factors that were most closely associated with condom use. The researchers found that all of these predictors held true across age, gender and sexual orientation. The paper was co-authored by NC State Ph. The factors that are most strongly associated with adolescent condom use remain unclear. Objective : This meta-analysis examined the association between 36 psychosocial variables and adolescent condom use to determine the strongest correlates of condom use behavior.
Study Selection : Studies were included if they: 1 were observational studies of U. Data Extraction and Synthesis : Investigators extracted data on participant characteristics, study methods, settings, correlates, condom use outcomes, and study quality. Main Outcomes and Measures : The primary outcome was adolescent-reported condom use behavior.
Twenty-three correlates were significantly associated with adolescent condom use. Conclusions and Relevance: This meta-analysis identified the strongest and weakest correlates of adolescent condom use across nearly 25 years of research. These results can be used to refine sexual behavior theory and guide more targeted evidence-based intervention efforts for adolescents.
