Negative perceptions about condom use among a clinic population: comparisons by gender, race, and age

Abstract

Objectives:
We sought to elucidate the associations of 13 items assessing negative perceptions about condom use with gender, age, and race in a sample of clinic attendees.

Methods:
Patients from 4 clinics, in three US cities, were recruited (N=928). Data were collected using audio-computer assisted self-interviewing. The primary measure was a 13-item adapted version of the Condom Barriers Scale. Logistic regression and chi-square tests were employed to relate the 13 items to gender, age, and race.

Results:
Gender, race, and age all had significant associations with negative perceptions of condoms and their use. A primary finding was a large number of significant differences between men and women, with negative perceptions more common among women than men. For African Americans, especially women, negative perceptions were more common among older participants than among younger participants.

Conclusions:
Important demographic differences regarding negative perceptions may inform the tailoring of intervention efforts that seek to rectify negative perceptions about condoms and thus promote condom use among individuals at risk for STIs in the US. On the other hand, our findings also suggest that the majority of STI clinic attendees may hold positive perceptions about condoms and their use; maintaining and building upon these positive perceptions via education, counseling, and access is also important.

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Identifiers

ORCID for C.A. Graham: orcid.org/0000-0002-7884-599X

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