Effect of partner relationship on motivation to use condoms among adolescent mothers.
OBJECTIVE
Adolescent mothers have high rates of repeat pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We sought to identify factors associated with their consistent condom use.


METHODS
Data for 107 urban adolescent mothers enrolled in a longitudinal computer-assisted motivational interviewing (CAMI) intervention were analyzed. The intervention aimed to motivate and instill confidence in using condoms consistently.


METHODS
1) structured interviews during the third trimester of pregnancy (baseline), 2) CAMI responses at 9-12 months postpartum. Outcomes were dichotomized as: consistent condom users and inconsistent condom users.


RESULTS
At baseline, mean age was 17 (1.1 SD) years, 96% African American, and 26% reported always using condoms. At 9-12 months postpartum, 33 (31%) used condoms consistently. Consistent condom users were less likely to report having sex with their baby's father (61% vs. 81%; p = 0.05). Adolescent mothers who used condoms consistently experienced greater self-efficacy in the prevention of STIs and recognized the importance of preventing STIs with a new boyfriend (p = 0.006). Consistent condom users held the opinion that it was more important to use condoms with a new boyfriend than with their baby's father regardless whether their main partner was the father of their baby or a new boyfriend.


CONCLUSIONS
Level of motivation, belief in the importance of condom use and self-efficacy to use condoms with a new boyfriend regardless of actual sexual partner relationship were the strongest predictors of consistent condom use among adolescent mothers. Future interventions aimed at improving condom use should focus on motivation and to different views held by teens regarding their partner-specific condom use.
Johnston-Briggs
Belinda D
BD
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 29 S. Paca St., Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. bdeliao7@aol.com
Liu
Jiexin
J
Carter-Pokras
Olivia
O
Barnet
Beth
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003201:Computers; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009042:Motivation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners