Correlates of condom use and reasons for condom non-use among drug users.
Two hundred and seventy-seven drug using adults were interviewed regarding details of their most recent sexual encounter. Demographic, attitudinal, and context variables were associated with condom use and non-use. Greater perceived risk of STDs/HIV and positive attitudes toward condoms' effect on sexual pleasure were associated with greater likelihood of reporting condom use. Common reasons for not using condoms included lower perceived risk of contracting HIV/STDs, negative attitudes toward condoms' effect on pleasure, and lack of condom availability. Tailoring messages to modifiable perceptions of risk and condom attitudes may be useful in reducing sexual risk among drug-using individuals.
Rosengard
Cynthia
C
Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA. Cynthia_rosengard@Brown.edu
Anderson
Bradley J
BJ
Stein
Michael D
MD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011330:Prisons; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D016312:Treatment Refusal