Abstract

Adolescents and young adults have higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) than any other age cohort in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The sub-population of young parents is at even higher risk for acquiring STIs than the general population of adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and how co-parenting relationship functioning and gender equitable attitudes were associated with condom use among adolescent and young adult parents. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 102 non-married adolescent and young adult parents in Toronto. Study participants used iPads to self-administer the co-parenting relationship scale, gender equitable men scale, and a sexual behaviour battery regarding their condom use during the last episode of sexual intercourse (including vaginal and anal). Logistic regression was used to determine whether scale scores predicted condom use at last intercourse, adjusting for age and sex. t-tests were performed to assess group mean differences in gender equitable attitudes and co-parenting relationship functioning between condom users and nonusers and between mothers and fathers. We observed that co-parenting relationship functioning was not associated with condom use behaviours. Instead, gender equitable attitudes predicted condom use in the overall sample (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.03, 1.25, p < 0.05). Fathers who used condoms at last intercourse had higher gender equitable attitude scores than fathers who did not use condoms (M = 58 vs. 53, p = 0.02). Mothers’ gender equitable attitude scores were not associated with condom use behaviours. Attitudes that support gender equity attitudes predict condom use among young parents, particularly among young fathers. Sexual risk reduction programs targeting young parents may benefit from incorporating components that promote gender equity norms.

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