The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59657

Rebecca Cabral, PhD, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, (770)488-6399, rxc1@cdc.gov, Maurizio Macaluso, MD, DrPH, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion/Division of Reproductive Health/Women's Health & Fertility, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, Ilene Brill, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Room 533B Ryals School of Public Health, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-2010, Samuel Posner, PhD, CDC, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA, and Lynn Artz, MD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology and International Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Mortimer Jordan Hall, Room 108, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-2010.

Objectives: To assess social and behavioral experiences in the first month of use of the female condom as determinants of continued use past initial experimentation. Methods: Women attending two urban STD clinics in Alabama participated in an intervention and a six-month prospective study of barrier contraceptive use. At each monthly visit, they were interviewed, returned a coital diary, and were given free female and male condoms. Results: The women were young (mean=24), mostly African American (85%). Of the 728 total, 351 women briefly experimented with use of the female condom and 377 tried and continued using it for 5 or more times. Continued use was associated with first month self efficacy with main partner (p<. 001), self-efficacy with a new partner (p<. 05), partner’s positive attitudes (p<. 001), ease of getting a partner to agree to use of a female condom (p<. 001), experience persuading partner a second time (p<. 001), perceived social support for female condom use (p<. 005), and higher number of 30-day requests for use (p<. 001). In addition, continued use was associated with being married (p<. 01) and 12th grade or lower education. (p<.02). Conclusions: Women’s experiences with their partner during initial uses of the female condom are crucial in determining continued use. Providers may enhance women’s self-efficacy for its use through role-playing strategies for communicating with their partners and for incorporating the method in their sexual activities. Intervention materials for male partners may be useful for promoting sustained use of the female condom.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify ways that male partners may support or discourage sustained use of the female condom.
• Discuss strategies providers may use to promote successful experiences with female condom use during the initial trial period.

Keywords: Condom Use, Gender

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.