The Impact of Condom Distribution in Seattle Schools on Sexual Behavior and Condom Use

Abstract:
Ten high schools in Seattle, Washington, made condoms available through vending machines and/or baskets in school clinics. Students obtained an average of 4.6 condoms per year, the vast majority from baskets and very few from vending machines. Relative to the national samples, the percentage of students who had ever had sex remained stable after the program began, and current sexual activity decreased significantly; however, the percentage of sexually experienced students who used a condom the last time they had sex also decreased significantly, particularly in the schools with baskets of condoms in clinics. The authors offer several possible explanations for the paradoxical finding that schools where students obtained the most condoms are those where condom use declined the most. First, the health centers (where students obtained condoms from baskets) might have placed more emphasis on abstinence, fewer sex partners, and oral contraceptives. Second, students indicate that condoms were quite accessible before they were made available in school, so there seems to have been a substitution effect. Finally, the condom availability program may not have addressed students’ reasons for not using condoms. This article is helpful in shedding light on some of the complexities around condom availability programs.

Author(s): Kirby, Douglas; Brener, Nancy D.; Brown, Nancy L.; Peterfreund, Nancy; Hillard, Pamela; and Harrist, Ron

Publication: American Journal of Public Health, volume 89, no. 2


Date Published: 2/1/1999

Pages: 6

Location Code: 8312