Effect of an STD/HIV behavioral intervention on women's use of the female condom.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effectiveness of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV behavior change intervention in increasing women's use of the female condom.


METHODS
A total of 604 women at high risk for STDs and HIV in New York City, Baltimore, Md, and Seattle, Wash, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a small-group, skills-training intervention that included information and skills training in the use of the female condom.


RESULTS
In a logistic regression, the strongest predictors of use were exposure to the intervention (odds ratio [OR] = 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.8, 10.7), intention to use the female condom in the future (OR = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.4, 8.5), having asked a partner to use a condom in the past 30 days (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.3, 3.9), and confidence in asking a partner to use a condom (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1, 3.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians counseling women in the use of the female condom need to provide information, demonstrate its correct use with their clients, and provide an opportunity for their clients to practice skills themselves.
Van Devanter
Nancy
N
Division of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 W. 168th St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Gonzales
Virginia
V
Merzel
Cheryl
C
Parikh
Nina S
NS
Celantano
David
D
Greenberg
Judith
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States