title: NYC condom use and satisfaction and demand for alternative condom products in New York City sexually transmitted disease clinics.
abstract: In 2007, via a high-profile media campaign, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) introduced the "NYC Condom," the first specially packaged condom unique to a municipality. We conducted a survey to measure NYC Condom awareness of and experience with NYC Condoms and demand for alternative male condoms to be distributed by the DOHMH. Trained interviewers administered short, in-person surveys at five DOHMH-operated sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Spring 2008. We systematically sampled eligible patients: NYC residents aged ≥18 years waiting to see a physician. We approached 539; 532 agreed to be screened (98.7% response rate); 462 completed the survey and provided NYC zip codes. Most respondents were male (56%), non-Hispanic black (64%), aged 18-24 years (43%) or 25-44 years (45%), employed (65%), and had a high school degree/general equivalency diploma or less (53%). Of those surveyed, 86% were aware of the NYC Condom, and 81% of those who obtained the condoms used them. NYC Condom users were more likely to have four or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-3.8), use condoms frequently (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3-3.6), and name an alternative condom for distribution (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.9). The most frequently requested condom types respondents wanted DOHMH to provide were larger size (28%), ultra thin/extra sensitive (21%), and extra strength (16%). We found high rates of NYC Condom use. NYC Condom users reported more sexual partners than others, suggesting the condom initiative successfully reached higher-risk persons within the STD clinic population. Study results document the condom social marketing campaign's success.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of HIV Prevention and Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY 10013, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murrill
authors.forename: Blayne
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Begier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D040241:Social Marketing; D055815:Young Adult