Title: Gender, culture, and power: barriers to HIV-prevention strategies for women.

POPLINE Document Number: 120134

Author(s):

Gomez CA
Marin BV

Source citation:

JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH, 1996;33(4):355-62.

Abstract:

A telephone survey of contraceptive use and predictors of condom use with a regular sexual partner among a random sample of 513 Latina and 184 non-Hispanic White US women confirmed the significance of gender, culture, and power issues to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention campaigns. 2/3 of all respondents were married; however, Latina women were significantly younger, less educated, and less likely to report multiple sexual partners than their White counterparts. Among the Latina women, 48% had no need for contraception, 26.4% were contraception users, and 25.6% were at risk for unplanned pregnancy; among Whites, these rates were 42%, 35%, and 23%, respectively. 67% of Latina women and 60% of Whites had never used condoms with their steady partner. Latina women had less correct knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), more fear of a negative reaction to a condom use request, less self-efficacy to use condoms, and less sexual comfort than White women. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, the variables most strongly associated with condom use with a steady partner among both Latina and White women were not using another contraceptive method, positive attitude toward condom use, having friends who use condoms, self-efficacy to use condoms, more sexual power, having 2 or more sexual partners in the past year, and worry about contracting HIV.

Keywords:

United States
Comparative Studies
KAP Surveys
Hispanics
Whites
HIV Prevention
AIDS Prevention
Knowledge
Attitude
Risk Reduction Behavior
Condom
Self-Perception
Gender Issues
Power
Psychosocial Factors
Women
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Studies
Research Methodology
Surveys
Sampling Studies
Ethnic Groups
Cultural Background
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
AIDS
Psychological Factors
Behavior
Barrier Methods
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning
Perception
Political Factors