Contrasting strategies used by young people to ensure condom use: some findings from a qualitative research project

Interviews conducted among 56 young men and women (aged 16-19) reveal two c ontrasting strategies used to ensure condom use at first intercourse with a new partner. These are defined as verbal communication based strategies (i nvolving some explicit discussion about contraception before intercourse) a nd non-verbal communication based strategies (where one partner takes respo nsibility for using condoms without discussing this with their partner). Wh ilst the former is argued as being the more effective strategy, this paper suggests an important role for the latter, particularly when young people f ind themselves in situations where initiating discussions about condom use is perceived as being particularly difficult.