ADHERENCE TO CONDOM USE - BEHAVIORAL REALITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Scientific studies show that, although men and women know the role of condoms in the prevention of STI and pregnancy, several situations hinder their use, including the idea that condoms are only a contraceptive method, that they interfere with pleasure, age, long-term relationships, and the type of affective-sexual relationship to which the partners are linked. It is common to reject the use of condoms, and underutilization may be associated with the achievement of a stable relationship, which many tend to translate into sexual fidelity, adding imminent risks. OBJECTIVE: To describe the knowledge and behaviors that motivate university students about adherence to the male condom.  METODOLOGY: This is a descriptive exploratory study, with a quantitative approach, with 136 students from a Public University, in the interior of Mato Grosso, in the second semester of 2022, through a questionnaire developed by the researchers, being approved by the Ethics and Research Committee 2.062.048. RESULTS: The average age of the students was 20 years, most of the interviewees reported being heterosexual (76.5%); most had their first sexual intercourse at 17 years, and 33.5% did not use a condom. It was identified that 85% reported using condoms to prevent pregnancy, 92.5% to prevent STI, 48.5% stopped having sexual intercourse with penetration because they did not have a condom; 84% of respondents did not use it because they were unable to put it on, and 54% said they had a condom and did not use it during sexual intercourse. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It showed that university students need to reflect on learning, behavior, adherence and perceptions about the use of male condoms. It is necessary to rethink sex education to better equip adolescents and young people regarding attitudes of vulnerability, as well as the possible consequences.