A direct mailing to teenage males about condom use: its impact on knowledge, attitudes and sexual behavior
Kirby, D.; Harvey, P.D.; Claussenius, D.; Novar, M.
Family Planning Perspectives 21(1): 12-18
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 2703031 DOI: 10.2307/2135413Document Number: 359363
In August 1987, a letter, informational pamphlet and order coupon for free mail-order condoms were sent to an experimental group of teenage males ages 16-17. An experimental design was used to measure the impact of the mailing on teens' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. Approximately 5 weeks after the mailing, 985 members of this group and 1033 members of the control group (who received no mailing) were interviewed by telephone. About 7 months after the mailing, members of the experimental group who claimed they had ordered the free condoms were reinterviewed by phone. The results of the initial interviews revealed that about 3/4 of the teens in the experimental group had received the materials, and about 2/3 had read them. Moreover, males in the experimental group, particularly those who reported having received and read the pamphlet, were slightly but statistically significantly more knowledgeable about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy, and contraceptives. On the other hand, there were no differences between males in the experimental and control groups in attitudes towards STDs or birth control, nor were there differences in actual sexual activity or in the use of birth control. However, the experimental group was significantly more likely to have ordered condoms by mail, presumably as a result of having received the free mail-order condom offer. Many of those who ordered condoms had previously had sex and had used condoms. However, a sizeable portion of those who ordered condoms did so prior to 1st intercourse, suggesting a possibly important early intervention.