scholarly journals Errors and Predictors of Confidence in Condom Use amongst Young Australians Attending a Music Festival

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina M. Hall ◽  
Daniel G. Brieger ◽  
Sukhita H. De Silva ◽  
Benjamin F. Pfister ◽  
Daniel J. Youlden ◽  
...  

Objectives. To determine the confidence and ability to use condoms correctly and consistently and the predictors of confidence in young Australians attending a festival. Methods. 288 young people aged 18 to 29 attending a mixed-genre music festival completed a survey measuring demographics, self-reported confidence using condoms, ability to use condoms, and issues experienced when using condoms in the past 12 months. Results. Self-reported confidence using condoms was high (77%). Multivariate analyses showed confidence was associated with being male (P<0.001) and having had five or more lifetime sexual partners (P=0.038). Reading packet instructions was associated with increased condom use confidence (P=0.011). Amongst participants who had used a condom in the last year, 37% had experienced the condom breaking and 48% had experienced the condom slipping off during intercourse and 51% when withdrawing the penis after sex. Conclusion. This population of young people are experiencing high rates of condom failures and are using them inconsistently or incorrectly, demonstrating the need to improve attitudes, behaviour, and knowledge about correct and consistent condom usage. There is a need to empower young Australians, particularly females, with knowledge and confidence in order to improve condom use self-efficacy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Knights ◽  
Nicole Stone ◽  
Tom Nadarzynski ◽  
Katherine Brown ◽  
Katie Newby ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Male condoms are effective in preventing common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy, if used correctly and consistently. However, condom use errors and problems are common and young people report negative experiences, such as reduced pleasure. The Kinsey Institute Home-Based Exercises for Responsible Sex (KIHERS) is a novel condom promotion intervention for young women, which aims to reduce condom errors and problems, increase self-efficacy and improve attitudes towards condoms, using a pleasure-focussed approach. The study objective was to test the operability, viability and acceptability of an adapted version of the KIHERS intervention with young women aged 16–25 years in the United Kingdom (UK) (Home-Based Exercises for Responsible Sex-UK (HERS-UK). Methods A repeated-measures single-arm design was used, with a baseline (T1) and two follow-up assessments (T2 and T3), conducted 4 weeks and 8 weeks post intervention over a 3-month period. Participants were provided a condom kit containing different condoms and lubricants and were asked to experiment with condoms alone using a dildo and/or with a sexual partner. Ten process evaluation interviews were conducted post intervention. Results Fifty-five young women received the intervention; 36 (65%) completed T2 and 33 (60%) completed T3. Condom use errors and problems decreased, self-efficacy increased and attitudes towards condoms improved significantly. The proportion of participants who reported using a condom for intercourse in the past 4 weeks increased from T1 (20; 47%) to T2 (27; 87%) and T3 (23; 77%) and using lubricant with a condom for intercourse increased from T1 (6; 30%) to T2 (13; 48%)) and T3 (16; 70%). However, motivation to use condoms did not change. Cronbach’s alpha scores indicated good internal consistency of measures used. Qualitative data provided strong evidence for the acceptability of the intervention. Conclusions HERS-UK was implemented as intended and the recruitment strategy was successful within a college/university setting. This feasibility study provided an early indication of the potential effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention, and the benefits of using a pleasure-focussed approach with young women. Measures used captured change in outcome variables and were deemed fit for purpose. Future research should explore cost-effectiveness of this intervention, in a large-scale controlled trial using a diverse sample and targeting young women most at risk of STIs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Matseke ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Julia Louw ◽  
Pamela Naidoo ◽  
Gugu Mchunu ◽  
...  

The high rate of HIV infections among tuberculosis (TB) patients in South Africa calls for urgent HIV reduction interventions in this subpopulation. While correct and consistent condom use is one of the effective means of HIV prevention among sexually active people, there is insufficient research on condom use among TB patients in South Africa. The aim of this paper was to determine the prevalence of inconsistent condom use among public primary care TB patients and its associated factors using a sample of 4900 TB patients from a cross-sectional survey in three health districts in South Africa. Results indicated that when asked about their consistency of condom use in the past 3 months, 63.5% of the participants reported that they did not always use condoms. In the multivariable analysis, being married (OR=1.66; 95% CI 1.25–2.20) or cohabitating or separated, divorced, or widowed (OR=3.67; 1.85–7.29), lower educational level (OR=0.66; 0.46–0.94), greater poverty (OR=1.60; 1.25–2.20), not having HIV status disclosed (OR=0.34; 0.25–0.48), sexual partner on antiretroviral treatment (OR=0.38; 0.23–0.60), and partner alcohol use before sex (OR=1.56; 1.30–1.90) were significantly associated with inconsistent condom use in the past 3 months. The low proportion of consistent condom use among TB patients needs to be improved.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Ajayi ◽  
Olumuyiwa Omonaiye ◽  
Charlotte Nwogwugwu

Abstract Background Previous studies have examined consistent condom use correlates in South Africa, focusing on sociodemographic factors, HIV risk perceptions, relationship conflict, multiple sexual partners, and masculinity. However, the effect of family financial support, HIV testing, partner communication and self-efficacy for HIV prevention is less studied. We drew from a cross-sectional survey to address this gap and highlight the key barriers and facilitators of consistent condom use among young people. Methods We analysed data obtained from 631 unmarried sexually active male and females students selected using stratified sampling from a university in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Consistent condom use was defined as regular use of condoms in all sexual encounters in the past year. We used an open-ended question to probe the reasons for inconsistent condom use. Adjusted and unadjusted regression analysis were fitted to examine factors associated with consistent condom use. Results The prevalence of consistent condom use was 39.3% (CI: 35.5%-43.2%), with no significant gender and age differences. After adjusting for relevant covariates, living with foster parents (AOR; 1.80 95% CI; 1.09-2.97), adequate family financial support (AOR; 2.49 95% CI; 1.71-3.62), partner knew status (AOR; 1.91 95% CI; 1.09-3.37) and feeling confident in one's ability to prevent HIV (AOR; 1.77 95% CI; 1.09-2.86) were associated with increased odds of consistent condom use. However, self-report of low condom self-efficacy (AOR; 0.58 95% CI; 0.40-0.85) and alcohol use (AOR; 0.83 95% CI; 0.58-1.19) were associated with lower odds of consistent condom use. Young people who inconsistently used condoms reiterated that sex is often unplanned and condoms are not always available. The desire for maximum pleasure, partner's objection, trust, and use of hormonal contraceptives were further reasons others inconsistently use condoms. Conclusions Inconsistent condom use remains a challenge among unmarried sexually active young people in South Africa. Education of young people on the need for partner communication about HIV, HIV testing uptake, and condom use should happen more rigorously in school and through the media to improve their consistent use of condoms.


Author(s):  
Rachel Mash ◽  
Bob Mash ◽  
Pierre De Villiers

Background: HIV/AIDS makes the largest contribution to the burden of disease in South Africa and consistent condom use is considered a key component of HIV-prevention efforts. Health workers see condoms as a straightforward technical solution to prevent transmission of the disease and are often frustrated when their simple advice is not followed.Objectives: To better understand the complexity of the decision that women must make when they are asked to negotiate condom use with their partner.Method: A literature review.Results: A key theme that emerged included unequal power in sexual decision making, with men dominating and women being disempowered. Women may want to please their partner, who might believe that condoms will reduce sexual pleasure. The use of condoms was associated with a perceived lack of ‘real’ love, intimacy and trust. Other factors included the fear of losing one’s reputation, being seen as ‘loose’ and of violence or rejection by one’s partner. For many women, condom usage was forbidden by their religious beliefs. The article presents a conceptual framework to make sense of the motivational dilemma in the mind of a woman who is asked to use a condom.Conclusion: Understanding this ambivalence, respecting it and helping women to resolve it may be more helpful than simply telling women to use a condom. A prevention worker who fails to recognise this dilemma and instructs women to ‘simply’ use a condom, may well encounter resistance.


2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance M. Wiemann ◽  
Mariam R. Chacko ◽  
Claudia A. Kozinetz ◽  
Ralph DiClemente ◽  
Peggy B. Smith ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel M. Moskowitz ◽  
Assunta Ritieni ◽  
Maya Tholandi ◽  
Qiang Xia

Objectives: We examined definitions of “safe sex” among adults in California, and assessed whether definitions varied by sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior. Methods: We analyzed crosssectional data from the “AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors (KABB) Survey,” a statewide telephone survey of California adults conducted in 2000. Results: The four most common definitions of safe sex were condom use (68.0%), abstinence (31.1%), monogamy (28.4%), and safe partner (18.7%). Definitions were associated with sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, and number of sexual partners in the past 12 months. Conclusions: Most adults defined safe sex in terms of condom use either alone or in conjunction with other methods. Individuals’ definitions were complex and varied across sociodemographic groups which suggest the need for policies and programs which reflect this diversity.


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401668734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkosiyazi Dube ◽  
Thobeka S. Nkomo ◽  
Priscalia Khosa

South Africa has the highest number of HIV-infected people in the Southern African Region, and of great concern is the fact that cases of new infections among young people, especially young women and girls, are on the increase. The prevalence of HIV and deaths caused by AIDS are still on the increase, whereas condom use, particularly in rural areas, remains low. Consistent condom use is central to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); yet, young men and women alike are hesitant to use condoms because of threats to their relationships, cultural roles, and, at times, economic survival. This study explored the views of customarily married housewives regarding condom use negotiation with their husbands. The findings point toward the need to empower women while they are still young so that they can be assertive, financially independent, and able to make their own decisions with regard to their sexuality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Uchenna O. Okafor ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Adebajo Sylvia ◽  
Okekearu Ifeanyi ◽  
Bart Van den Borne

Support by brothel leaders and the promotion of a conducive environment for HIV prevention programs within brothel establishments are important to promote a safe working environment for Brothel-Based Female Sex Workers (BB FSWs). This study assesses the effects of a cluster randomized pilot trial examining the use of brothel leaders to improve consistent condom use by FSWs residing in brothels and also assessed the feasibility of implementing a similar intervention on a broader scale. Ten brothels in Abuja, Nigeria were randomized and exposed to the experimental (n=5) and control (n=5) arms of the intervention. The feasibility of the intervention and consistent condom use outcomes by FSWs with different partner types as well as condom negotiation self-efficacy were measured. Condom use outcomes and condom negotiation self-efficacy outcomes were analysed using multi-level mixed regression models. A total of 243 FSWs were recruited into the study (control n=66 and experimental n=177) and 107 of them (44%) were available at 16 weeks follow-up. The intervention demonstrated feasibility and positive outcomes for consistent condom use with boyfriends, casual partners and clients of FSWs were obtained. The interaction effect between condition and time indicated increased consistent condom use with boyfriends in the experimental condition (p=0.02). Adherence to the intervention by the FSWs was moderate with the mean sessions attended at 4.4(SD=2.0). The attrition rate during the intervention was high due to mobility of the FSWs. The intervention showed feasibility and effect outcomes indicate promise in enhancing condom use with steady partners of BB FSWs. The design of HIV prevention interventions may benefit from the inclusion of gatekeepers in the promotion of condom use within the brothel, but an adequately powered phase III trial is needed to inform large-scale implementation of this approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roanna Lobo ◽  
Josephine Rayson ◽  
Jonathan Hallett ◽  
Donna B Mak

Background Notification rates of gonorrhoea in Australia for heterosexual young adults rose by 63% between 2012 and 2016. In Western Australian major cities, there was a 612% increase among non-Aboriginal females and a 358% increase in non-Aboriginal males in the ten-year period 2007–2016. A qualitative public health investigation was initiated to inform appropriate action. Methods Eighteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with non-Aboriginal heterosexual young adults aged 18–34 years living in Perth, Western Australia, who had recently been notified to the Department of Health with gonorrhoea, to explore the context of their sexual interactions and lifestyles which could have predisposed them to contracting gonorrhoea. Data were thematically analysed. Results Common themes were having several casual sexual partners, limited communication between sexual partners about condom use or sexual history prior to engaging in sexual activity, inconsistent condom use, normalisation of some sexually transmissible infections amongst young people, and poor understandings and assessment of sexually transmissible infection risk. Conclusions The findings support public health interventions that focus on communication between sexual partners and shifting of risk perceptions in sexual health education programs, ensuring accessibility of quality sexual health information, increasing condom accessibility and acceptability, and on strategies for addressing misperceptions of young people in relation to sexually transmitted infections.


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