Psychosocial Factors Associated With Self-reported Male Condom Use Among Women Attending Public Health Clinics

BACKGROUND: Previous research has identified factors associated with condom use. However, less information exists on the impact that a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) has on condom use. GOAL: To identify factors associated with self-reported male condom use that relate to a history of STD. STUDY DESIGN: Women attending STD clinics completed a survey that assessed sexual behavior, STD history, and psychosocial characteristics. Binomial regression was used to estimate the association between these factors and condom use. RESULTS: Of the 12 factors included in the regression model, 11 were significant for all women. When the analysis was stratified by STD history, high condom use self-efficacy, high convenience of condom use, and high frequency of condom use requests were significantly associated with increased condom use among women with or without a history of STD. Factors such as greater perceived condom use norms, higher perceived level of risk, and greater need for condom use in long-term relationships were significantly associated with increased condom use among women with a history of STD. Factors such as shorter duration of a relationship, less violence in the relationship, and lifetime drug use were associated with increased condom use among women with no history of STD. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of psychosocial factors determining condom use is modified by a positive history of STD. These findings suggest that a history of STD could be an important factor in targeting condom use interventions.