title: Condom-related problems among a racially diverse sample of young men who have sex with men.
abstract: We described frequencies of condom-related problems in a racially diverse sample of young men who have sex with men (YMSM), and tested these condom-related problems as an explanation for racial disparities in HIV rates among YMSM. Participants were 119 YMSM from a longitudinal study of sexual minority health behaviors. Almost all participants (95.4%) experienced at least one condom error. On average, African American and non-African American YMSM experienced the same number of recent condom-related problems. Therefore, differences in condom-related problems are unlikely to explain racial disparities in HIV rates among YMSM. When serving YMSM, providers should both promote condom use and explain steps to correct condom use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Steve N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Du Bois
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emerson
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mustanski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D055815:Young Adult