A survey of condom programs.

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation commissioned a study in 1992 on condom availability programs in the nations public schools. The study was conducted by Louis Harris and Associates Inc. and focused upon the debate around such initiatives and the approval process. Superintendents nationally were interviewed via telephone in 299 high-school and middle-school districts. The sample was proportionate to the number of students at the middle- and high-school levels in each district such that the results represent the circumstances regarding condom availability programs of all high school and middle school students in the continental US. The chapter is divided into sections on problems besetting schools; approved condom programs; discussion about condom availability programs; other resources; and useful information. Responses to questions in the following areas are reported in tabular format: the seriousness of problems; program implementation; program financing; parental consent policy; condom availability programs; types of individuals or groups which have initiated discussion; the importance of issues in the discussion; superintendents stated opinions on condom availability programs; other groups opinions; why no discussion has been initiated in some cases; how programs were approved; alternative in-school programs; referrals to community programs; and usefulness of information.