Does Discussing STDs or HIV with a Parent Increase Condom Use Among Young Women Using Other Contraceptive Methods?

Background: Many young women use contraceptive methods that prevent pregnancy but not acquisition of STDs and HIV; increasing condom use among these women is critical. Young women may be more likely to use condoms if they discuss sexual risks with their parents.

Objectives: To examine the association between condom use and discussing STDs/HIV with parents among young women, contingent upon whether they used another contraceptive method.

Methods: We used weighted data from the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth to examine condom use at last sex among 1,206 sexually active, unmarried women aged 15-24 years. We used logistic regression to examine the association between condom use and discussing STDs/HIV with parents before age 18, adjusted for women’s characteristics (i.e., age, race, income, and condom use at first sex). Then, we estimated the predicted probability of condom use by whether women discussed STDs/HIV with parents, stratified by use of other contraceptives.

Results: Overall, 53% of women used condoms at last sex. Among 564 women using other contraceptive methods, 42% used condoms, compared to 64% of 642 women not using other contraceptive methods (p<0.01). After adjustment for covariates, the predicted probability of condom use among women using other contraceptive methods was 47% among women who discussed STDs/HIV with their parents, compared to 31% of those not discussing STDs/HIV with their parents (p<0.01). Among women not using other contraceptive methods, the predicted probability of condom use remained 64% regardless of whether they discussed STDs/HIV with their parents.

Conclusions: Young women who use other contraceptive methods are less likely to use condoms. Discussing STDs/HIV with their parents is associated with increased condom use among these women.

Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: Increasing parental discussion about STDs/HIV should be considered as an intervention to increase condom use among young women using other forms of contraception.