SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AND CONDOM USE - A STUDY OF SUBURBAN MALE-ADOLESCENTS

Sexual behaviors and condom use were surveyed in a sample of 1,312 mal e adolescents (ages 12-19 years) in Laval, the second largest city in the province of Quebec. The data were obtained via a self-administered questionnaire to which 98.8% responded. The study showed that male ad olescents became sexually active, on average, at 13.9 years, an age yo unger than previously reported. Further, 60% of the adolescent males u sed a condom at their first intercourse, a figure which doubled that p reviously reported; its use, however, decreased to one-third when util ization at each intercourse was examined. Overall, condom use was grea test in 14-year-olds and decreased in older adolescents, being replace d by the pill. The study further revealed that 12-13-year-olds were le ss likely to use condoms and more likely to use ineffective methods th an were 14-year-olds. Although condoms seem to be gaining a following among male adolescents, their use is transitory and is being replaced by the pill and other methods with low protective value against sexual ly transmitted disease (STD) and AIDS. These results underline the nec essity to reorient our educational and promotional activities in STD p revention to the realities of this group.