How are attitudes towards condoms related to gender and sexual experiences among adolescents in Finland?

SUMMARY This survey is a part of the international HBSC Study (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children). The purpose of this study was to investigate 15-year-old adolescents' condom attitudes. In 1990, data were compiled from 928 students and in 1994 from 1183 students. In 1994, 70% of boys and 55% of girls reported that they had used a con- dom with their partner in past intercourse. The percentage of adolescents who did not use any contraceptive method decreased from 26% to ~13% between 1990 and 1994. The attitudes of the adolescents who did not use any contra- ceptive method were, on average, somewhat more negative towards purchasing condoms than the attitudes of those who used condoms or pills as their contraceptive method. Adolescents were well aware that condoms prevented unwanted pregnancies and protected against sexually trans- mitted disease. Boys reported more frequently than girls that it was easy to use a condom and that a condom dimin- ished sexual pleasure. Generally speaking, adolescents were still quite embarrassed to buy condoms. Adolescents who had experienced sexual intercourse reported more often than those who had not that it was easy to purchase and carry condoms. A majority of adolescents reported that it was easy for them to purchase condoms when necessary. The major change between 1990 and 1994 occurred in the attitudes of girls who had experienced sexual intercourse. In 1990, the attitudes of girls towards purchasing and carrying condoms were more negative than those of boys, but in 1994 they were similar to those of sexually experienced boys.