Condom usage varies drastically in each nation, and then things like living arrangements, number of partners and age play major factors in the statistics.
Anne Grunseit and Anne M. Johnson present some interesting findings in a workup entitled “Use of Condoms; Data from Population Surveys .” One study undertaken throughout the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Britain found that the more partners a person had, the more likely that person was to use condoms.
The population data also found that those who live with their partners are less likely to use condoms than those who don’t, and that generally the older people are the less likely they are to use condoms, as they have usually entered into monogamous and long-term relationships. Young people whose first sexual experience came before the age of sixteen were less likely to use condoms during this experience. For more information on protection please read the article entitled: how to wear a condom.
A recent survey performed by the Office for National Statistics found that the condom is as popular as the birth control pill in the UK. 25 per cent of the 1,093 women asked preferred condoms as a birth control method, and the same amount reported a preference for the pill. Experts took this as good news, as condoms work to prevent both sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Those who preferred condoms reported that this was because they prevent STIs.
Victoria Sheard of the Terrence Higgins Trust told BBC News: “An increase in condom use is very good news as they offer double protection – against sexually transmitted infections as well as unwanted pregnancy. People should be aware of the rising rates of STIs when making a decision about contraception – ditching the condoms could leave you and potentially your partner at risk.”
NB: No method of contraception guarantees 100% protection
