Psychosocial factors associated with self-reported male condom use among women attending public health clinics.

BACKGROUND

Previous research has identified factors associated with condom use. However, less information exists on the impact that a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) has on condom use.

GOAL: To identify factors associated with self-reported male condom use that relate to a history of STD.

STUDY

DESIGN

Women attending STD clinics completed a survey that assessed sexual behavior, STD history, and psychosocial characteristics. Binomial regression was used to estimate the association between these factors and condom use.

RESULTS

Of the 12 factors included in the regression model, 11 were significant for all women. When the analysis was stratified by STD history, high condom use self-efficacy, high convenience of condom use, and high frequency of condom use requests were significantly associated with increased condom use among women with or without a history of STD. Factors such as greater perceived condom use norms, higher perceived level of risk, and greater need for condom use in long-term relationships were significantly associated with increased condom use among women with a history of STD. Factors such as shorter duration of a relationship, less violence in the relationship, and lifetime drug use were associated with increased condom use among women with no history of STD.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of psychosocial factors determining condom use is modified by a positive history of STD. These findings suggest that a history of STD could be an important factor in targeting condom use interventions.