Shannon Houser, MPH, RHIA, Health Behavior, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Webb 510, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3361, 205-975-7506, shouser@uab.edu and Diane Grimley, PhD, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022.

Background: Consistent and correct condom use has been promoted as the best means of primary prevention of the transmission of HIV and many STIs among sexually active individuals.

Objectives: To compare self-reported condom use with clinical STI test results and to examine sexual risk behaviors that could influence positive STI results.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, patient condom use with a main partner was assessed via ACASI technology. STI tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea were also obtained from each patient.

Results: A total of 1361 participants reported having sex with a main partner in the past 30 days. Mean age was 24.9, 56.2% female, 85.6% African Americans. Self-reported condom use behaviors were categorized into 3-groups: consistent user (n=424); inconsistent user (n=453); and never user (n=484). Among consistent condom users, 22.3% tested positive for either chlamydia or gonorrhea; 24.3% for inconsistent users, and 23.2% for never users, respectively. When examined further for association between sexual risk behaviors with STI test results, individuals who used alcohol/drugs before sex (OR=1.42, CI=1.110-1.822, p=.005), initiated sex prior to 14 years of age (OR=0.767, CI=.607-.976, p=.027) and had 3 or more sex partners last year (OR=1.312, CI=1.033-1.665, p=.026) were more likely to test positive for STIs.

Conclusions: Condom use assessment is a complicated issue due to its sensitive nature. In contrast with previous studies with other populations, the current study did not find any association between self-reported condom use status and STI results. However, other sexual risk behaviors showed strong associations with STI results.

Learning Objectives: