Impact of an educational intervention to promote condom use among the male partners of HIV positive women.
OBJECTIVE
Promoting the secondary prevention of HIV transmission is essential.


METHODS
An intervention. aimed at increasing condom use by partners. was delivered to HIV positive women attending a Brazilian clinic. It included educational advice delivered by doctors. and unlimited access to free condoms. A pre-post design was used: 170 control group women were recruited. the intervention was implemented. and 170 intervention group women were then enrolled. All were interviewed at baseline. 30 and 60 days.


RESULTS
After training. doctors were more likely to provide advice on condom use. Reported use increased by 8.8% points (a 14.2% increase) in the intervention group after 30 days. and by 5.7 points (9.5%) in the control group (P = 0.52).


CONCLUSIONS
The reasons why the intervention failed to reach a significant effect are discussed. as are the possible Public Health impact of a 14.2% increase in condom use among HIV positive women.
da Silveira
Mariângela Freitas
MF
Maternal and Child Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Avenida Duque de Caxias, 250, Pelotas, RS, Brazil. maris.sul@terra.com.br
dos Santos
Iná Silva
IS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors