Sexual behavior and condom use among urban women attending a family planning clinic in the United States.

In this paper I present data on risky sexual behavior and condom use among a sample of 100 adult women who attended a family planning clinic in an urban area of the United States. Although the women in this study protected themselves from pregnancy by using contraception, they engaged in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal intercourse, and sex with risky partners. Alcohol and drug use were also common among the women in this sample. Almost half of the participants reported a history of sexually transmitted infections. Health assessment for women using contraception should include assessment of risk factors for sexually transmitted HIV infection. All women should be counseled regarding methods of reducing their risk for HIV.