Student opinions of condom distribution at a Denver, Colorado, high school.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Students at a high school in urban Denver, Colorado, in October 1992 initiated and helped conduct a school-wide survey on student opinions about making condoms available in their school. Students simultaneously and anonymously completed the survey. Only 994 of the school's 1330 enrolled students, however, had the opportunity to complete the survey due to the absenteeism of students, attendance at physical education class during the block, or the teacher's failure to administer the survey. 336 enrolled students simply did not receive a survey. Moreover, only 931 completed surveys figure in the final analysis since 63 were excluded due to illegibility or ambiguities in the responses. A larger percentage of students in the lower grades responded to the survey, corresponding to increased attrition as students advance in school and a higher absenteeism rate for upperclassmen. 85% of the surveyed students replied that condoms should be distributed in their school. 76% noted that making condoms more accessible will neither increase nor decrease the frequency of sexual activity among teens. Proponents of in-school condom distribution pointed to the ability of condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS and other STDs, and unwanted pregnancy as the most important reasons to support condom distribution, followed by the belief that increased condom availability will prompt more students to use them when having sexual intercourse. The embarrassment and financial cost of having to buy condoms were also cited by 24% and 17% of students, respectively, as reasons for making condoms available in school. 45% of students feel that condoms should be distributed from machines in bathrooms, 42% from the school nurse, 8% from other students, and 5% from teachers. 61% of condom distribution opponents were female. 59% of the opponents, while claiming to not be against condoms, believe that school is just not appropriate point of distribution for them. Other opponents believe that condom distribution will stimulate the incidence of sexual activity, that individuals should not have sex until they are older or married, that distributing condoms is religiously wrong, that condom distribution would be wasteful since some people do not use condoms every time they have intercourse, and that it would be embarrassing to procure condoms at school. Students in lower grades tended to be more conservative with their beliefs.