Condom machines on college campuses [editorial]

Concern has been expressed that condom machines on college campuses placed with the intent of preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases would imply that the schools condone casual sexual activity. This issue was investigated in a sample of 38 males and 49 females (32% of the resident student population) at a small college in Eastern US where condom machines were installed in September 1987. 39 of the female students were sexually active before enrolling in college and 6 had never had sexual intercourse. The 4 females who had their 1st sexual experience after September 1987 denied that the condom machines had influenced their decision (to express love to partner was the reason given for intercourse) but 2 female students had purchased condoms from the machines. 29 of the male students reported having been sexually active before entering college and the remaining 9 stated they had never had intercourse. 9 male students had purchased condoms from the machines and 8 had used them. 70% of the sexually active females and 64% of the sexually active males reported ever-use of condoms. Non of the sexually active female students and only 5 (17%) of the sexually active male students felt that the installation of condom machines on their campus implied that society condones teenage sex. Moreover only 1 male and 1 female among those students who were sexually active before the condom machines were installed stated that the availability of condoms or any other contraceptive was a significant reason for their 1st intercourse. Overall these findings indicate that condom machines do not encourage sexual activity; of concern however is their apparent lack of effectiveness in promoting safe sex practices.