142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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299818
Interventions That Eroticize Safer Sex Improve Condom Use: An Updated Meta-Analysis, 2003 to 2013

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 : 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon, PhD , Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, PROVIDENCE, RI
Angela Colletta , Psychology Department, Providence College, RI
Karlene Cunningham, MS , Brown University, Providence, RI
Blair T. Johnson, PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Background: Unprotected sex accounts for the largest proportion of new HIV infections even though correct and consistent condom use can prevent HIV. Behavioral interventions typically focus on negative (i.e., disease-prevention) rather than positive (i.e., sexual health, pleasure) aspects of condom use. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of behavioral interventions that included an eroticization component to improve condom use.

Methods: Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted identifying relevant studies published between 2003 and 2013. To be included, studies had to evaluate a behavioral intervention that reported including an eroticization component, used a randomized controlled trial (RCT) or a quasi-experimental design with a control group, assessed condom use behavior, and provided sufficient information to calculate effect sizes (ES). Independent rates coded participant, design and methodological characteristics, and intervention content. Weighted mean ES were calculated using random-effects models.  

Results: Included were 14 studies (N = 7,609; mean age = 30 years; 52% women; 51% Black) from 6,362 studies identified through the electronic bibliographic database searches. Compared to controls, intervention participants increased their condom use (i.e., mean proportion of condom use: d+ = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.68; k = 12; condom use at last occasion: d+ = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.13, 0.65; k = 8) at the first post-intervention assessment (median = 13 weeks).       

Conclusions/Implications: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that behavioral HIV interventions that eroticize safer sex increase condom use. Promoting the sexual or sensory aspects of condom use may be important for reducing the incidence of HIV.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe behavioral sexual risk reduction interventions that eroticize safer sex. Identify successful moderators of interventions eroticizing safer sex.

Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My academic preparation and extensive research in this area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.