Reports of condom use during recent sexual encoun­ters

Data Source(s):

Surveys of program participants or youth in the geo­graphic area of the program To measure this indicator, evaluators can use responses to questions asking whether youth “always,“ “most of the time,“ “sometimes,“ or “never“ use condoms.

Purpose:

Because condoms protect against both pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and are readily available from non-clinic sources in most settings, many adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs promote condoms as the contraceptive method of choice for adolescents. However, prior research indicates that adolescents tend to be inconsistent contraceptive/con­dom users and/or to use condoms with non-regular part­ners but not necessarily with regular partners. Also, some evidence shows that the regularity of condom use tends to decline as the duration of sexual relationships increases. In view of these findings, many AYSRH pro­grams counsel condom use in all sexual encounters, ir­respective of the partner and duration of relationship. This indicator measures the prevalence of this “pre­ferred” practice in a program‘s intended population.