Quality of condom use as reported by female clients of a family planning clinic.

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the prevalence and determinants of the quality of condom use after a woman's first visit to a family planning clinic. METHODS: This report presents data from 360 female family planning clients who reported using condoms as their primary method of contraception for at least 1 sexually active month during the study's follow-up period after their first clinic visit. RESULTS: Only 1% always engaged in all five use behaviors studied: using a condom for each sexual intercourse, putting the condom on before first entry, withdrawal after intercourse while there is still an erection, holding on to the condom's rim during withdrawal, and using foam. Multiple linear regression indicated that more effective condom use was reported by women who had not had an induced abortion, were not using condoms just because they were starting oral contraceptive pill regimens, had more knowledge about birth control in general, had received a nursing intervention, and had more communication with their partner. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing attention needs to be devoted to understanding determinants of the specific actions that differentiate between more and less effective contraceptive use.