Providers' Practices and Beliefs Regarding Distribution of Condoms to Adolescents in the Primary Care Office Setting

An abstract of a study by Mehringer et al identifying the current range in providers' practices and beliefs regarding distribution of condoms to adolescents in primary care offices. Results showed that a total of 184 surveys were completed and analyzed, with respondents identifying predominantly as females (71%) and as physicians (85%). While 94% of providers reported providing instruction or teaching about condom use to adolescent patients, few currently distribute male condoms (37%) or female condoms (11%) to adolescents in the office setting. Most reported at least one potential risk of distributing condoms to adolescents in the primary care office, including potential for parent/caregiver disproval (66%). potential of upsetting or offending patients (28%), possibility of preventing adolescents from developing self-reliance (11%), and potential of promoting sexual activity (7%). Despite identifying these potential risks, the vast majority of providers were able to identify at least one potential benefit to distributing condoms to adolescents, including potential for increased adolescent condom use (91%), potential to provide more opportunities for discussing sexual health (85%), potential to decrease unintended pregnancies or STI's (85%), and potential for increasing the likelihood of patients' asking sexual health questions and seeking care.