THE CONDOM - WHY MORE PEOPLE DONT PUT IT ON

This study sheds light on an important topic emerging in the sexual he alth debate - identifying the interpersonal nature of sexual relations hips which influence condom use. Using the principles of grounded theo ry, in-depth interviews were conducted with heterosexual men and women to understand the impact of the dyadic context of 'heterosex' on deci sions to use condoms, condom availability and partner support and rece ptivity to cooperate in safer sex practices. The study found that cond om dialogues occur at two levels - 'the interpersonal condom dialogues ' and the 'internal or discursive condom dialogues'. These dialogues s hape condom use/non-use negotiations and the sexual encounter. Individ uals also enter into sexual relations with a dislike of condoms and a perception of condom sex as 'other sex', which sets the context for th eir sexual experiences. Gender constructions of socially 'appropriate' sexual behaviour for men and women are implicated in the decisions to use condoms. The study highlights the importance of promoting condom sex as good and pleasurable sex if education and public health interve ntion programmes are to be effective in changing attitudes towards saf er sex practices.