Household-level correlates of condom use among a representative sample of Canadian adolescents

Background: The relationship between an adolescent's micro-environment (e.g. the home) and the likelihood of engagement in sexual risk behaviour is poorly understood. Therefore, we sought to examine the household-level correlates of condom use at last intercourse among a nationally representative sample of Canadian adolescents aged 15 to 19. Methods: Using data from the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey, we conducted logistic regression analyses to determine whether factors related to characteristics of the household environment were associated with self-reported condom use at last intercourse. Results: Among 3974 sexually active adolescents, condom use at last intercourse was reported by 74.8%. After adjusting for household education and income, participants who reported living in larger dwellings were less likely to report condom non-use, while those reporting greater numbers of persons in the household were more likely to report condom non-use. Other significant correlates of condom non-use included older age, female sex, alternative birth control methods and having a weak sense of community belonging. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that factors related to the household environment are independently associated with condom use among adolescents. Policies and programs that aim to promote condom use should seek to address issues such as privacy, which may limit adolescents' ability to engage in safer sexual practices.