Purpose: This NIMH funded study uses an ecological model to examine gender-based correlates associated with unprotected sex among low income, urban couples at risk of HIV/STDs. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 217 women and their steady male partners, who were recruited from a primary care clinic for a couple HIV intervention. To be eligible, women reported that they suspected or knew that their partner was engaging in HIV risk behavior/s and not always using condoms. Separate stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted for women and men to examine individual, interpersonal, community and macro-level variables associated with a lower proportion of protected vaginal intercourse acts in the past 90 days. Results: The majority of participants were African American (women=54.4%, men 54.8%) or Latino (women=39.6%, men 37.8%). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that lower couple condom negotiation efficacy, and unfavorable peer norms of couple condom use were significantly associated with a lower proportion of protected acts among both women and their steady partners. Financial dependency on partner was significantly associated with a lower proportion of protected acts for women, but not for men; whereas more traditional gender role attitudes and Latino ethnicity were significant for men, but not for women. Conclusion: Although correlates of unprotected sex for women and their steady partners overlap, the study highlights the need for contextually specific HIV prevention interventions, which take into account important gender and cultural differences. Study findings further suggest the potential utility of couple-based interventions to reduce HIV/STDs. See www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/sig
Learning Objectives: 1. To identify similarities and differences by gender with respect to correlates of unprotected sex among this sample of women and their steady partners. 2. To discuss at least three implications from the findings of this study for designing contextually and gender specific HIV prevention interventions.
Keywords: Condom Use, STD Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.