Do Adolescents and Young Adults Learn About Condoms from Healthcare Providers? Findings from a US Probability Sample

Abstract

Introduction: Using data from the 2018 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior, we determined the prevalence and content of adolescents' and young adults' communication with healthcare providers about condom use.Methods: Adolescents (14-17 years-old; n = 283) and young adults (18-24 years-old, n = 225), who discussed sexual health with a healthcare provider in the past-year, reported if they had discussed condom use with a healthcare provider and among those who did, they also reported why healthcare providers recommended condoms, if they demonstrated correct condom use, and/or provided condoms. Data collection occurred in February and March 2018.Results: Most adolescents (71.0%) and young adults (66.7%) who discussed sexual health with a healthcare provider, reported discussing condom use. Condoms were most often recommended for both pregnancy and STD prevention. Fewer adolescents and young adults were shown how to use condoms (11.4% of adolescents; 5.7% of young adults) or provided condoms (14.9% of adolescents; 14.7% of young adults). Only 3.2% of adolescents and 1.3% of young adults had healthcare providers who discussed, demonstrated, and provided condoms.Conclusions: Sexual health conversations with healthcare providers are likely to include condoms. But few adolescents and young adults were shown how to use condoms or provide condoms.Policy Implications: Providing healthcare providers with resources and trainings about how to talk about condoms with patients may lead to more adolescents and young adults learning medically accurate information about condoms. Healthcare offices and clinics could also provide condom use resources outside of provider-patient interactions.

Levels and sources of adolescents' sexual knowledge in traditional societies: A cross‐sectional study

“…Moreover, this study's findings showed that neither girls nor boys consulted teachers or doctors/ nurses for sexual information. Adolescents clearly are not using healthcare professionals as resources for sexual information (Beckmeyer et al, 2021). Perhaps, if healthcare professionals were used as resources, the level of sexual knowledge among high school students would be better.…”

HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis awareness, practices, and comfort among urban and rural family medicine physicians

“…Published studies comparing the sexual risk counseling practices of rural and urban PCPs do not exist, so there are difficulties comparing study findings to the literature. However, prior research has noted that many PCPs do not provide sexual risk reduction counseling, 23,24 are unknowledgeable and uncomfortable discussing sexual health, 25 do not talk to adolescents about condom use, 26 and do not provide rural sexual minority male (SMM) patients individual HIV prevention counseling 27 and PrEP discussions 28 . Medical students in Oklahoma, an EHE rural‐burden state, noted they do not receive education about HIV prevention/PrEP and are uncomfortable discussing sexual health with patients 29 .…”

Family Structure Diversity and Youth Health Care Access and Interactions With Health Care Providers

“…In particular, it is important to ensure youth have time alone with providers to discuss their health and well-being (Coker et al, 2010). Private face-to-face discussions with providers can help youth feel comfortable and reassured about the confidentiality of their disclosures regarding pertinent information (including sexual health, mental health challenges, drug [mis]use, or engagement in risky behaviors; Beckmeyer, Patterson, et al, 2022; Coker et al, 2010; Liddon et al, 2021).…”