Sources of condom information among adolescents in the United States

Abstract

Objective

To describe receipt of condom information from formal sources and parents among sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced adolescents in the United States.

Study design

Data come from the 2015–2019 National Survey of Family Growth and a sample of 15-to-19-year-olds.

Results

Most adolescent females and males reported receipt of condom information from any source, with sexually experienced adolescents more likely to do so. Close to one-third of adolescents, regardless of sexual experience, reported sex education about condoms from only formal sources, with small proportions reporting receipt of this information from only parents. Receiving condom information from both formal sources and parents was more common among sexually experienced adolescents, whereas not receiving this information from either source was more frequently reported among sexually inexperienced adolescents.

Conclusions

This study highlights disparities in condom information receipt based on sexual experience and underscores the need to provide both sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced youth with condom knowledge and information to protect their sexual health.