title: Differences between men and women in condom use, attitudes, and skills in substance abuse treatment seekers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For substance abuse treatment-seekers engaging in high risk sexual behavior, their inconsistent condom use may be related to their condom use attitudes and skills.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study compared treatment-seeking male and female substance abusers in their reported barriers to condom use and condom use skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men and women (N = 1,105) enrolled in two multi-site HIV risk reduction studies were administered the Condom Barriers Scale, Condom Use Skills, and an audio computer-assisted structured interview assessing sexual risk behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men endorsed more barriers to condom use, especially on the Effects on Sexual Experience factor. For both men and women, stronger endorsement of barriers to condom use was associated with less use of condoms. However, the difference between condom users and non-users in endorsement of condom barriers in general is greater for men than women, especially for those who report having casual partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings support the need to focus on gender-specific barriers to condom use in HIV/STI prevention interventions, especially risk behavior intervention techniques that address sexual experience with condoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide additional information about the treatment and prevention needs of treatment-seeking men and women.
authors: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. calsyn@u.washington.edu
authors: Donald A
authors: DA
authors: Calsyn
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Peavy
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Wells
authors: Aimee N C
authors: AN
authors: Campbell
authors: Mary A
authors: MA
authors: Hatch-Maillette
authors: Shelly F
authors: SF
authors: Greenfield
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Tross
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology