5043.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - Board 1

Abstract #20299

"Male partner influences and condom use among African American female adolescents"

Donna Hubbard McCree, PhD, MPH, RPh1, Gina M. Wingood, ScD, MPH2, Ralph DiClemente, PhD3, Richard Crosby, PhD3, Kim M. Williams, PhD1, Adrian Liau, PhD1, Kathy F. Harrington, MPH4, and Susan Davies, PhD, MPH5. (1) Rollins School of Public Health Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-727-3515, dhmccre@sph.emory.edu, (2) Rollins School of Public Health, Dept of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, (3) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, (4) Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, 1665 University Blvd. Ryals Building 227, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (5) School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, 1666 University Blvd., Ste 237, Birmingham, AL 35244

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between male partner influences and condom use among African American female adolescents. METHODS: Sexually active African American adolescent females (n=522) completed a self-administered survey and in-depth private interview. The survey assessed the age of the male partner, their partner's attitude toward condom use, his desire for the female adolescent to become pregnant, and whether the male partner instills fear when she negotiates condom use (7-item Likert scale; a=.81). The frequency of condom use during vaginal intercourse in the past six months was also assessed. These analyses are based on the results for adolescents who reported never using a condom in the past six months. RESULTS: At the time of the survey, 83% (n=432) of the adolescents were involved in a relationship. In the multivariate analysis, controlling for age, adolescents who reported never using condoms in the past six months were more likely to have older partners (> 5 years, OR=3.3, p=.001) and partners who desired the adolescent to become pregnant (OR=3.0, p=.0001). Additionally, adolescents were more likely to have never used condoms in the previous sex months if they reported experiencing fear in negotiating condom use (OR=2.0, p=.02), and if they had male partners who were not supportive of using condoms during sexual intercourse (OR=2.0, p=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Study findings highlight the importance of addressing male partner influences when designing STD, including HIV/AIDS, prevention programs for adolescents.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants in the session will be able to: (1) Discuss recent research regarding the association between male partner influences and condom use among African American female adolescents; (2) Discuss specific male partner factors, including age of partner, partner's attitude toward condom use and partner's desire for the female adolescent to become pregnant, and condom use; and (3)Discuss the importance of addressing male partner influences in HIV/AIDS prevention programs for adolescents.

Keywords: Partner Involvement, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA