Title: Factors associated with perceptions of, and decisional balance for, condom use with main partner among women at risk for HIV infection.

POPLINE Document Number: 187412

Author(s):

Semaan S
Lauby J
O'Connell AA
Cohen A

Source citation:

Women and Health, 2003;37(3):53-69.

Abstract:

We examined factors associated with women's perceived advantages (pros), perceived disadvantages (cons). and decisional balance (standardized pros score minus standardized cons score) for condom use with main partner. Data from 1,938 young sexually active women who lived in five U.S. cities where the risk for human immunodeficiency virus is high were analyzed by using logistic, ordinal, and multiple linear regression analysis. For the pros scale of condom use, 27% of the women had low scores, and 33% had moderate scores. For the cons scale. 27% had moderate scores, and 5% had high scores. Of the total, 47% had a negative score on the decisional balance measure. Older age, living with a spouse or partner, or binge drinking was associated with lower pros scores and with a negative score on the decisional balance measure. Income from public assistance was associated with higher pros scores. Income from a spouse or partner or a history of sexually transmitted disease was associated with lower pros scores. Multiple sex partners or being at risk for HIV infection (based on perceptions of the main partner's behaviors) was associated with higher cons scores. Income from a job was associated with a positive score on the decisional balance measure. Our analysis identified the characteristics of women who have low pros scores, high cons scores, and negative decisional balance scores. The regression results can inform our work in HIV prevention on whether to focus on the pros, the cons, or both to obtain positive decisional balance scores and increase condom use in situations that warrant protective behaviors. (author's)

Keywords:

United States
Research Report
Baseline Surveys
Women
Sexual Partners
Population At Risk
HIV Prevention
Condom Use
Decision Making
Sex Behavior
Risk Factors
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Surveys
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Demographic Factors
Population
Behavior
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Risk Reduction Behavior
Biology