Attitudes toward condoms and experience with their use among sex education teachers

BACKGROUND: The sex education is influenced by knowledge and attitudes. The aim of presented study was to evaluate the attitudes toward condom among sex education teachers and their personal experience with its use. METHODS AND RESULTS: Attitudes toward condoms were measured by 10-items anonymous questionnaires according to Zvĕrina and Lippert. Personal experience was subjectively assumed in 5-point scale. The samples consists of 230 sex education teachers, among them 193 (84%) women. The average age was 40.5 +/- 9.7 years, in the range from 19 to 60 years. 37 teachers (16%) assigned themselves as religious. Condom was evaluated as a good protection against HIV and other STD in almost all answers. Three fifths of teachers considered condom to be an excellent contraception. 48% teachers did not know if the majority of women dislike condom. One tenth respondents rejected the opinion that the men dislike condoms. One tenth of teachers has never experienced condom personally. 12 percent stated to use it regularly, among them are more represented men. The opinions about quality of condom and decreased sensitivity by condom differ believers from atheists and users from non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes toward condom are predominantly liberal among Czech sex education teachers. The personal experience with use is common but not regular. The religion has small influence toward the attitudes and use.