February 13, 2025, Durham, NC – Condoms are the only prevention method that are effective at both preventing the transmission of STIs and preventing unintended pregnancy. In addition, condoms tend to be more cost-effective and accessible for adolescents than other forms of contraception. Despite the benefits and accessibility of condoms, only 52% of sexually active adolescents in the U.S. report using a condom the last time they had sex.

To effectively promote condom use among adolescents, it is important to understand what factors may make adolescents more likely to use condoms. A recent meta-analysis of the adolescent sexual health literature sought to identify the strongest predictors of adolescent condom use. These predictors can be targeted in future adolescent sex education efforts to promote condom use among sexually active adolescents and improve sexual health outcomes.

The meta-analysis examined 36 potential psychosocial predictors of condom use across 249 studies to examine how these predictors (e.g., adolescents’ HIV/STI knowledge, previous sex education, partner attitudes, and more) may relate to condom use behaviors. The study also examined how the relationships between these variables and condom use were moderated by age, gender/sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and the year of study.

The meta-analysis found 23 different factors that, across the literature, predicted condom use in adolescents; however, there were three factors that were particularly strong predictors:

  • Condom use at first sex: Adolescents are more likely to use condoms when sexually active if they used a condom the first time they ever had sex.
  • Condom use intentions: If an adolescent intends to use a condom in the future, they are more likely to actually use a condom when they do have sex.
  • Condom communication with a partner: Adolescents that communicate with their sexual/romantic partner about condoms are more likely to use a condom when they have sex.

These findings and more were reported in JAMA Pediatrics in an article entitled, “Identifying the Strongest Correlates of Condom Use Among US Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” iRT Research Scientist Dr. Reina Evans-Paulson co-authored the recent article and conducted the meta-analysis with, lead author, Dr. Laura Widman of North Carolina State University and Drs. Anne Maheux, Julia Brasileiro, and Sophia Choukas-Bradley as well as Jordyn McCrimmon, Claire Stout, and Aaron Lankster.

To read the full article, click here.

 

Widman L, Evans-Paulson R, Maheux AJ, et al. Identifying the Strongest Correlates of Condom Use Among US Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Pediatr. Published online January 27, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5594