Abstract

Background: Despite various strategies implemented to promote sexual education and prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the 10th National Youth Survey revealed that slightly more than half of young people in Chile used a condom during their last sexual encounter. While several sociodemographic, cultural, and psychological predictors have been described, recent studies specific to Chile are scarce. Aim: To examine the relationship between social determinants, gender roles, and mental health symptoms with condom use in young Chileans. Material and Methods: Secondary data from the 10th National Youth Survey were analyzed. The analytical sample comprised 5,507 young people who had started their sexual life. Multiple binomial logistic regression models were run using survey-based data estimates. Results: Older youth, women, people who identify with any ethnicity, those in a dating relationship, and those diagnosed with an STI are less likely to use a condom at last intercourse. Conclusion: Individual characteristics can explain adherence to preventive behaviors and may reflect underlying psychological and cultural factors. Identifying socio-structural, cultural, and psychological factors associated with preventive and protective sexual behaviors should be a health priority, as it enables the design and promotion of more effective social communication campaigns.