CONDOM USE AMONG YOUNG AMERICANS DOWN: AP

Mon 07 October 2024:

Condom use is down among sexually active teens and young adults in the United States due to a combination of medical advancements like long-term birth control options and drugs that prevent sexually transmitted infections, a fading fear of contracting HIV, and widely varying levels of sex education, reported The Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday.

Fewer young people are having sex, but the teens and young adults who are sexually active aren’t using condoms as regularly, if at all. And people ages 15 to 24 made up half of new chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases in 2022, according to the report.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledged that condoms are still an effective tool that can be used “alongside newer prevention strategies.”

“We know that condom use has declined among some groups, but they still have an important role to play in STI prevention,” Bradley Stoner, director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention, was quoted as saying.

“Condoms can be accessed without navigating the health care system, can be used on-demand, are generally affordable and most importantly — they are effective at preventing HIV and STIs when used consistently and correctly,” he added.

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Here’s a brief history of condom use:

Condoms have been used for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used linen sheaths as early as 1000 BCE, likely for protection against diseases rather than contraception. In Asia, early versions made from animal intestines or fish bladders emerged, and by the Renaissance in Europe, condoms made from animal membranes became more widespread, primarily to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis.

In the 19th century, Charles Goodyear’s invention of vulcanized rubber revolutionized condoms, making them more affordable and durable. By the early 20th century, latex condoms were introduced, offering greater reliability. Over the decades, condoms became widely available and were promoted as a key method of contraception and STI prevention, especially during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

Today, condoms remain one of the most popular and effective methods of sexual protection, with ongoing innovations such as ultra-thin materials and eco-friendly designs.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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