Condom Use Errors on Knowledge and Attitude among Sexually Active Men

Background: Unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections are amongst the top public health priorities in India. Around 1/4th of births are unwanted. Condom, a dual-protective device, is being promoted for meeting these challenges. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of condom demonstration on knowledge, attitude and incidences of factual errors among sexually active men of attended family planning & STI clinics, of PGIMER, Chandigarh. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 102 men; mean age of the group 29.23±3.5 ranged from 20–41 years. The samples were randomly divided into two groups. Data was collected between July and September, 2016. Results: Although the men had heard of and/or knew about the purpose of condoms, 58.8% were adequately informed. 86.3% subjects had positive attitude towards condom use (p 0.005). 56.9% subjects reported errors (breakage, slippage, or both) while use. Immediate correct practice was significantly representative as 70.6% subjects of experimental and four (7.8%) subjects of the control group performed seven or more correct steps on specific condom application and removal. However, 29.4% subjects of the control group and 94.1% experimental group had successfully pinched the reservoir tip during condom application (p 0.003). 90.2% participants had easy access to condom while 78.4% were used. The study confirmed that knowledge is not enough to bring desired change in practices. Regarding access to condoms, it was observed that >90.2% subjects had easy access while 78.4% had used condoms. The results depict that after three months of usage there has been a reduction in incidence of factual errors in case 11.7% compared to control 17.6%. Conclusion: The current study shows that the majority of subjects (90%) who knew about condom had never attended condom demonstration before. Hence, the educative session regarding practices must be considered in the promotional strategies to get best out of this dual-protection method.