Sexual Health Behavior and Condom Use Determinants
Summary
Sexual health behaviour encompasses a complex interplay of individual, relational and structural factors that influence the adoption of preventive measures such as condom use. Key individual determinants include self-efficacy in negotiating condom use, attitudes towards protection and motivational orientation—whether individuals prioritise safety maintenance or pleasure pursuit. Relational dynamics, notably levels of intimacy, commitment and communication between partners, shape perceptions of risk and the perceived necessity of condoms. Socio-cultural elements such as gender norms, educational attainment and peer influences further modulate these behaviours, while broader structural variables—access to services, legal frameworks and public health campaigns—establish the environment in which decisions are made. Together, these determinants underlie patterns of condom use across diverse contexts, informing targeted interventions to reduce sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy on a global scale.
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Sexual Health Behavior and Condom Use Determinants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sexual health behavior and condom use determinants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Regulatory focus: A motivational framework distinguishing a prevention orientation (prioritising harm avoidance and safety) from a promotion orientation (seeking pleasure and gains) in decision-making.
Casual sexual relationships (CSRs): Non-committed partnerships encompassing diverse arrangements such as hookups, friends-with-benefits and booty calls, each with distinct norms and expectations.
Self-efficacy (in condom use): An individual’s belief in their capacity to negotiate, obtain and correctly use condoms in sexual encounters.
Intimacy: The degree of emotional closeness, trust and exclusivity perceived within a sexual partnership, affecting risk perception and protective behaviour.
Sexual health behaviour: Actions taken to protect or promote sexual well-being, including condom use, STI testing and open communication with partners.
References
- A Trend Analysis of Condom use in Spanish Young People over the Two Past Decades, 1999–2020. AIDS and Behavior (2022).
- Safety and Pleasure Motives Determine Perceived Risks and Rewards in Casual Sex. Sexuality & Culture (2024).
- Condom use across casual and committed relationships: The role of relationship characteristics. PLOS ONE (2024).
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