An evaluation of the condom distribution scheme (C-Card) with young people in northeast England. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kinsella, Karina; Cross, Ruth; South, Jane
• Is Part Of: Perspectives in public health. Volume 134:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: condom distribution -- sexual health -- young people -- access -- C-Card -- evaluation; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Grande-Bretagne -- Périodiques; Promotion de la santé -- Périodiques; 614
• DOI: 10.1177/1757913913483245
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-9139

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate a local C-Card scheme from the perspectives of young people in order to determine how well it had worked in improving access to condoms and in providing young people with appropriate information to make healthier choices around safer sex. Methods: Secondary analysis of a year's worth of existing registration and monitoring data routinely collected by the C-Card scheme, two focus group discussions with 14 young people (eight males and six females) and a short questionnaire-based survey of 55 young people. Results: The evidence suggested that the C-Card scheme is an effective tool for ensuring that young people know how to use a condom correctly. Ease of access and increased knowledge were key issues of effectiveness to emerge from the findings. The scheme also served as a mechanism for young people to be referred on to other sexual health services and the data appear to indicate that this was something that was taken up by young people. Conclusions: The young people who used C-Card generally viewed the scheme as an effective mechanism in terms of accessing condoms and the number of outlets available for acquiring condoms. In order for C-Card to become successful with young people, advertising needs to be improved to increase their awareness of the scheme.