Condom or no condom: that is the question. When it comes to sex, how much are students willing to risk being unprotected?

For some students, it’s not a big deal to use just a condom or birth control. They think only one partner being protected is enough. A survey was then generated to see what some Laurier Brantford students really think about unprotected sex and protection in general. In total, nine males and eight females ranging from 18 to 20 years old responded. When surveyed, four out of the six 18-year-old females said they think either being on birth control or having the guy use a condom is enough protection. But according to the Health Canada website, “most contraceptive devices will not protect a person from sexually transmitted infections (STI), so in order to prevent the transmission of STI, including HIV, the use of a condom with another method of contraception is recommended. This is referred to as dual protection.”

All of the 19-year-old males and 66 per cent of the18-year-old females surveyed are sexually active. These students also considered using either a condom or birth control to be adequate protection. Most also said they know at least one person who has dealt with the consequences of unprotected sex. One Laurier student, not included in the survey, disagreed to using only birth control or a condom. He also said “both partners should be protected just in case of an accidental break in the condom. And having the girl on birth control is like having a Plan B.” Interestingly, five of the nine males surveyed said having both partners protected was better, opposed to three of the eight girls who chose the opposite, that having one or the other partner protected was best.

Although some students wish to pursue sexual activity without the extra protection of both a condom and birth control, most make the conscientious decision to use both methods. This has been proven to work more effectively. As one Laurier student said, “you are responsible for both your actions and inactions at whatever age you are. So you might as well act your age and make actions that won’t leave you in a ‘time-out’ situation in the future; literally.”

For more information, contact Laurier’s Health Services Office at:
519-756-8228 ext 5803 or
On the Web at:
http://brantford.mylaurier.ca/health/contact.htm