Condom Use
| Most
recent CO value (2005) |
CO
rank (2005) |
CO
value (2005) |
Best
state (2005) |
Best
state value (2005) |
HP
2010 target |
69.3% |
3/32
=5/50 |
69.3% |
New
Jersey |
71.2% |
95% |
Indicator Definition
Percent of high school students sexually active
in the last month who reported using a condom.
| High
school students who were sexually active
and used condoms in Colorado4 |
 |
|
 |
| High
school students who were sexually active
and used condoms by sex in Colorado5 |
 |
|
Indicator Significance
One in four of the 15 million new cases of
sexually transmitted disease (STDs) each year occurs among teenagers.
Although condom use has increased in the past decade, no significant
increase in use occurred between 2003 and 2005. Unprotected intercourse
increases both the risk of spreading STDs and unintended pregnancy.
Condom use is highest among African-American teenagers and younger
students (9th grade). Older students (12th grade) are likely to
use other forms of contraception, which compromises the goal of
decreasing STD transmission.1
Colorado Specifics
Colorado ranks third among the 33 states that
monitor condom use among sexually active high school students. Nevertheless,
only about two-thirds of all students who reported being sexually
active in the past month also reported using a condom, a rate that
has been stable since 2001.
Promising Initiatives
In Colorado
In the 2007 legislative session, the Colorado
General Assembly passed HB 1292 requiring that a comprehensive,
science-based sex education program be taught in Colorado school
districts that offer sex education. Presenting medical and scientific
information, the curriculum will discuss abstinence as the only
100 percent-effective means of preventing pregnancy and STDs, but
will also discuss the importance of using contraceptives if sexually
active. Preceding the law, Poudre School District developed a 10-lesson,
comprehensive approach to sex education. The curriculum provides
students with information on healthy relationships, condom use,
other forms of contraception and the risks associated with sexually
transmitted diseases.2
Elsewhere
“Real Life. Real Talk. Youth Council,” a campaign developed
by Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona, relies on
youth volunteers to connect with other teens to discuss sexual choices,
the risk of STDs and pregnancy. Teen volunteers attend concerts
and other recreational venues where teenagers typically spend time.
In these discussions, abstinence is identified as the only fool-proof
method of pregnancy prevention and avoiding STDs, but safe sex practices
are also discussed, including the correct use of condoms. The program
was designed to lower Arizona’s high teen pregnancy and STD
rates.3
High school
students who were sexually active and used
condoms6
Text
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s
National Youth Risk Behavior Study, 1991 – 2005
- “Sexuality Education Victories in Colorado
and Kansas,” Sexuality Education
and Information Council of the United States
Colorado
State Legislature
- “Teens spreading word on sex ed in unique
program,” The Arizona Republic
Charts
- Source: Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment,
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2001 – 2005
- Source: Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment, Youth Risk
Behavior Survey, 2005
- Source: National Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy
Youth, 2005, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
|
