A SURVEY STUDY OF ATTITUDES TO AND USE OF THE DOUBLE DUTCH METHOD AMONG UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS

In the Netherlands, it was feared that the sole promotion of condom us e in order to prevent AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) wo uld jeopardise the low unwanted pregnancy and abortion rates. Therefor e in health education programmes the use of the 'double Dutch' method (combining oral contraceptive and condom use) was encouraged. A survey study among 303 university students shows that most of them think pos itively of the 'double Dutch' method and regard it as a feasible cours e of action. One out of five students has ever used the method oneself . Condom use is perceived as the main disadvantage. Women are more pos itive about the method. The main reason for not practising AIDS/STD pr evention is only having sex within a monogamous relationship. Asked ab out their intention, four out of five students think they would use th e 'double Dutch' method in future sexual contacts where the risk of co ntracting AIDS or STDs cannot be excluded.