 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Lisa Goldman, MPH, Regional Staff Associate, The Population Council, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean - Mexico City, c/o One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, 011-52-55-5659-8839, lgoldman@popcouncil.org.mx, Davida Becker, ScM, Regional Program Coordinator, Population Council, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean - Mexico City, c/o One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, Sandra G. Garcia, ScM, ScD, Director of Reproductive Health for Latin America and the Caribbean, Population Council, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean - Mexico City, c/o One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, New York, NY 10017, Graciela de la Rosa, Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones Privades de Salud y Desarrollo Comunitario (FEMAP), Plutarco E. Calles 744 Nte., Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and Francisca Ferreira, Centro de Orientación e Investigación Integral (COIN), Calle Anibal de Espinosa #352, Villa Agricolas, Apartado Postal 22124, El Huacal, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
In the absence of cures and vaccines for many STIs, including HIV, the correct and consistent use of latex condoms is a fundamental prevention strategy. Unfortunately, condom use across the globe is quite low, and much current research has focused on understanding only the negative aspects of condom use. Using qualitative methods, our study took a fresh approach to the problem of low condom use by focusing on the concept of successful condom use, and those positive aspects of condoms that facilitate successful use.
In the Dominican Republic and Mexico, we interviewed over 200 male and female students, factory workers, and sex workers/clients, to identify successful condom users. Using a screening questionnaire containing a 75-point scale, we invited “successful” individuals scoring at least 38 points on this scale to also participate in focus group discussions. We conducted a total of 27 focus groups aimed at understanding how users achieve successful condom use, learning the context and conditions of that success, and exploring how the positive aspects of condom use can be translated into creative interventions.
A content analysis of the transcripts found that while nearly all participants considered themselves to be successful condom users, their definitions of successful condom use varied greatly depending on several contextual factors, including type of partner, and perceived risks for STIs and pregnancy.
Participants’ understanding and practice of successful condom use enriches our understanding of successful condom use. These data will inform the development of interventions that empower individuals to correctly and consistently use condoms.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Condom Use, Reproductive Health
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.