Research Inquiry Group

ProjectStudy done by the NCLC 203 Seminar F

ClassIn correspondence with the Office of

Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education

Where are the condoms that the OADHE provide going and how are they being used?

Is George Mason giving out the right amount of condoms?

Who are these condoms going to?

Are the preferred brands and types being distributed?

HypothesesIncorrect use of condomsCondom hoarding Condoms being taken by unintended

populations such as staff Lack of knowledge that these condoms

are available

Theories on use/non-use

DemographicsRelationshipsEducation Accessibility

Background Condom Information

Prevent STI’s • Prevent pregnancies• Other contraceptives,

i.e. birth control

• Types:• Different colors• Different sizes

(magnum & snug)• Specialties (flag

colors)• Different materials

(non-latex)

Preconceived Notions

Condoms are only needed for vaginal sex

Using two condoms = better protectionCoitus Interruptus is 100% effectiveIf you stand while having intercourse,

you won’t get pregnant

**Demonstration**

Stakeholders

Students sexually active in the George Mason University community

GMU Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education

All GMU students and parents paying tuition

Needs/Assets

OrganizationOffice of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education at

GMUDecisions about school-funded condoms

CommunityGeorge Mason University20,000 UndergradsEthnically, religiously, and culturally diverse

What is ‘OADHE’?

Office of Alcohol, Drug, and Health Education“Sexual Chocolate” “Safe Spring Break”

to educate students about the risks of unsafe sex, as well as preventative measures, in an entertaining way.

What is ‘OADHE’ Cont.

Individual consultations for one-on-one assistance available on alcohol, drug or personal health issues. connects them with the necessary resources and/or treatment.

The OADHE provides and distribute various resources advocating student health Brochures, Healthy Hook-Up Kits, Quit Kits for Smoking,

lubricants, male and female condoms. Free to the Mason community

Over 50,000 condoms are taken from the Student Health Services in a single semester.

Literature Review

Reviewed scholarly sources to gain insight on previously found knowledge on our topic.

Different types of survey and sampling methods such as internet surveys

Qualitative and quantitative methodsLearned importance in discerning relationship

status in relation to condom useDemographics can play a role in condom use

Background Research:[Mason Versus Other Universities]

GMU hands out free condomsVCU, VT, ASU contactedASU: only one that also hands out free

condoms regularly do not have events promoting sexual

awarenessVT and VCU both have discounted rates

Research Applied to Mason

Passed out surveys Set up kiosk in JC

Analyzed advertisements and fliers around campusWalked around campusSpoke with DanielleRA handbookSororities/fraternities

Observed people taking surveys and condomsKioskOADHECondom basket

Survey: What Was Asked?

Age, gender, ethnicitySexual activityWhat ways condoms

are usedWhy condoms would

not be chosen for usage

Amount of condoms taken/used

Class (year in school)Housing situationLocation lived before

GMUIf subject knows that

condoms are available on campus

Content Analysis Conclusions

Not much information available in plain sight to the community

No guidelines for RA’s or RD’s on condoms

Events are held concerning sexual awareness

Greek organizations take sexual and alcohol education courses

Observation Conclusions

Many people came with other peopleSeem to be uncomfortable when they felt

like they were being watchedAge was diverseSeem to go in the afternoon (between

1:00 and 5:00)

Final research data results from survey shown both quantitatively and qualitatively:Pie Charts (majority)Written Analysis

65%

34%

1%

Gender

MaleFemaleBoth

57%

8%

12%

6%

2% 6%

2%7%

Ethnicity

Caucasian/White African American/ BlackAsian/ Pacific IslanderMiddle EasternItalianHispanicWhite/BlackOther

27%

38%

14%

7%

6%

7%

1%

Age

18 Years Old19 Years Old20 Years Old21 Years Old22 Years OldOthernot specified

33%

12%

6%

2%1%

46%

Class

FreshmanSophomoreJuniorSeniorOtherNot Specified

70%

20%

10%

Living Arrangement

On campusOff campus with roommates/AloneOff campus with parents

25%

70%

6%

City/Suburb/Rural

CitySuburbRural

78%

19%

3%

Sexually Active

YesNoNot Specified

Relationship Ideas

Condoms are used more in casual relationships, and as a relationship becomes more serious and exclusive, not using condoms is symbolic of fidelity and trust.; that the “known partner is the safe partner.”

“Among students who had had multiple partners in the past year, those who had had partners of both sexes were more likely to have had an STD (16%) than were students who had had only male partners (9%) or only female partners (6%).”

72%

18%

5%5%

1%

If I want condoms, I know where to get them

Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree

34%

25%

7%

16%

19%

I use or have used condoms that GMU has provided me…

Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly Disagree

55%

15%

7%

12%

11%

I have taken ____ Condoms

0 to 55 to 1010 to 2020 to 50 50 or more

13%

33%

19%

14%

19%

1%

Of the Condoms I Have Taken I Have Used all of Them. (may or

may not be for sex)

Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly DisagreeNot Specified

5%

19%

18%

27%

21%

10%

With the Condoms that GMU has provided me I have… (Circle all

that apply)

Discarded themGiven them awayUsed during sexUsed for a prankStorted for later useNot gotten any

5%

13%

12%

25%

27%

17%

I use a condom during sexual in-tercourse (sexually active only)

NeverSometimes but not oftenHalf the timeAlmost alwaysAlwaysNot Applicable (not sex-ually active or did not answer)

39%

37%

12%

2% 9%

I Use a Condom so… (Circle All That Apply)

I or my partner do not get pregnantSo I do not get an STD/STII use other forms of dis-ease prevention or con-traception I do not use condoms Not Applicable (not sex-ually active or did not answer)

Recommendations for OADHE

• More advertisements and information around campus

• More convenient locations for condom distribution should be established

• Preferred brands and types should be considered at a greater extent