A study of condom acceptability among men in an urban population in South India.
This study examines the acceptability of condoms to men from Chennai, South India. A sample of 150 male respondents who, in the main, had at least one risky sexual experience with a commercial sex worker or multiple partners was interviewed. The respondents included HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals at sexually transmitted disease clinics, college students, and homosexuals. Awareness of condom usage was high, and 83% had used condoms at least once. The reasons for using condoms were protection from disease (43%), protection from AIDS (20%), and partner insistence (25%). Seventy-three percent of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction. Of those who used condoms for the first time, 72% were HIV negative, compared to 34% among those who did not use condoms. This indicates the need for developing the "condom habit," as using condoms at the first sexual experience is a strong predictor of future condom use.
Thomas
Beena Elizabeth
BE
Division of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis Research Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, Chennai.
Rehman
Fathima
F
Malaisamy
Muniyandi
M
Dilip
Meenalochini
M
Suhadev
Mohanarani
M
Priyadarsini
Padma
P
Purushotham
Narendar Kilathi
NK
Swaminathan
Soumya
S
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D017280:Condoms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011639:Public Opinion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014505:Urban Population