Eversley R, Wingood G, Guitierrez Baldoquin H, Henbry K, Hearst N, Avins A, Newstletter A, Beirnes D; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1991 Jun 16-21; 7: 401 (abstract no. M.D.4045).

UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, San Francisco, CA, USA

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between risk factors for sexually acquired HIV, perceived risk, and condom use among young, sexually active women of different ethnic groups. METHODS: An interviewer-administered survey of sexual risk factors for HIV (multiple partners, high risk partners, incidence of sexually transmitted diseases), perception of risk, and condom use was conducted among a consecutive sample of 267 young adult women seen at four San Francisco Bay Area Planned Parenthood clinics. Reasons for visiting the clinics included contraception, annual checkups, sexually transmitted diseases, and other gynecologic disorders. RESULTS: Respondents were between the ages of 19 and 39, and included Whites (106), Blacks (99), Asians (26), Latinas (31), and women of other ethnic origins (5). The majority (86%) knew that vaginal or anal sex without a condom is a risk for HIV. Women were less likely to always use condoms when having sex within a primary relationship (15%) than outside of a primary relationship (29%) (p less than 0.01). Thirty-six percent reported two or more risk behaviors; these women were more likely to perceive their risk for HIV (R.R.=2.0; p less than 0.01) but were less likely to always use condoms when having sex outside of a primary relationship (R.R.=0.4; p less than 0.05) as compared to women who reported fewer risks. Ethnic differences were observed in specific risk behaviors; Latina women were more likely to report engaging in unprotected anal sex outside of primary relationships (R.R.=3.7; p less than 0.05), Black women were more likely to have a primary sex partner who had other sex partners (R.R.=4.8; p less than 0.01), and were more likely to have had two or more sexually transmitted diseases (R.R.=3.0; p less than 0.001) as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: High risk women are more likely to perceive their risk, but are less likely to always use condoms. More research is needed regarding the ethnic differences in risk behaviors and on why high-risk women are unable to translate their increased perception or risk into self protection.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• African Americans
• African Continental Ancestry Group
• Asian Continental Ancestry Group
• Condoms
• Contraception
• Ethnic Groups
• European Continental Ancestry Group
• Family Planning Services
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Hispanic Americans
• Humans
• Patient Education as Topic
• Risk Factors
• Risk-Taking
• San Francisco
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexual Partners
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• 1404591

UI: 102183801

From Meeting Abstracts