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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2009 Jul 1;100(4):299–303. doi: 10.1007/BF03403951

Determinants of Condom Use: Results of the Canadian Community Health Survey 3.1

Shayesta Dhalla 1,, Gary Poole 1
PMCID: PMC6973725  PMID: 19722345

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the independent effects of mood disorder, age, race/ethnicity, personal income, being a current student, having a regular medical doctor and substance use in relationship to condom use at last intercourse in a Canadian population stratified by sex.

Methods: We used Cycle 3.1 of the 2006 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS 3.1), a population-based, voluntary, cross-sectional survey of subjects ages 12–85 years. Data collection took place between January and December 2005. From the survey, a study sample of 20,975 people was drawn, consisting of individuals providing valid responses (yes/no) to mood disorder and last-time condom use. The question of sexual behaviours was asked only of those ages 15–49 years. Logistic regression was used to examine individual variables as potential determinants of last-time condom use stratified by sex.

Results: The relationship between mood disorder and condom use was non-significant in both males (AOR= 0.85, 95% CI=0.70−1.04) and females (AOR=0.90, 95% CI=0.78−1.03). Increasing age was found to be inversely associated with last-time condom use in both males and females. Male factors significantly associated with last-time condom use were being of white ethnicity (AOR=0.71, 95% CI=0.64−0.79) and being a current student (AOR=1.28, 95% CI=1.16−1.42). Female factors associated with last-time condom use were being of white ethnicity (AOR=0.71, 95% CI = 0.63−0.79) and being a former drinker (AOR=2.25, 95% CI=1.63−3.11).

Conclusion: Our results identify important determinants of last-time condom use in both males and females in the CCHS 3.1. These findings may have important implications for the devising and implementation of safe sex programs in a Canadian population ages 15–49 years.

Keywords: Condom use, determinants, sexually transmitted infections, Canada

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