Adolescent Relationships and Condom Use: Trust,Love and Commitment

Research indicates that people use condoms less often with a regular sexual partner than with a casual partner because they believe condoms are not needed. This article reports qualitative findings from four group meetings and 11 in-depth interviews in which sexually experienced inner-city adolescents aged 14–17 talked about their sexual relationships. Three types of relationships were described: messing, for sex only; boy-girlfriend, a more intense relationship, and hubby–wifey, which mimics marriage. The four types of relationships differ along four analytic dimensions, which give them meaning: future commitment; public vs. secret; expectation of monogamy; and degree of affection and love. Decisions about condom use are influenced by these dimensions which may be underestimated in theoretical models that focus on individuals, not couples.     

Measurement of condom use as a risk factor for HIV infection

Correct and consistent condom use can prevent susceptible people from acquiring HIV infection. However, in many countries repeated cross-sectional studies reveal a trend of increasing prevalence of HIV infection alongside an increase in reported condom use. Changes in sexual behaviour that reduce the number of new HIV infections will not become apparent through changes in HIV prevalence until some time after the behaviour change takes place. Limitations in the data used to assess condom use may also explain the concurrent increases in condom use and HIV prevalence. One common indicator of condom use, the UNGASS indicator (condom use at last higher risk sex of those aged 15-24), has been chosen to illustrate how changes in the proportion of people who report using condoms do not always explain changes in the size of the group who had high risk behaviour. Indicators based on the proportion of the whole population who have sex without using a condom would be better measures of the size of the group at highest risk of HIV infection.     

WHO/CONRAD technical consultation on nonoxynol-9, World Health Organization,Geneva, 9-10 October 2001: summary report

This report summarises the evidence presented to a technical consultation on the safety of N-9 and its effectiveness for protection against pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, organized by the World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research with CONRAD in October 2001. Key conclusions from the meeting include: 1. Although Nonoxynol-9 has been shown to increase the risk of HIV infection when used frequently by women at high risk of infection, it remains a contraceptive option for women at low risk. 2. Nonoxynol-9 offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia. 3. There is no evidence that condoms lubricated with nonoxynol-9 are any more effective in preventing pregnancy or infection than condoms lubricated with silicone, and such condoms should no longer be promoted. However, it is better to use a nonoxynol-9 lubricated condom than no condom at all. 4. Nonoxynol-9 should not be used rectally.     

男男性行为者安全套使用及影响因素分析

目的 了解男男性行为者(men who have sex with men,MSM)安全套使用状况,并分析影响因素.方法 通过MSM同伴招募调查对象,在MSM活动场所进行安全套使用等相关因素的匿名现场问卷调查.结果 共调查400人,最近1次、近6个月不同性伴肛交/阴道交安全套使用率差异均有统计学意义(分别有x2=21.82,P＜0.001和x2=28.26,P＜0.001),男性、男男卖性使用率较高(73.8％、66.7％,45.5％、46.2％),男男买性、女性使用率较低(47.1％、47.9％,29.4％、30.1％).单因素分析显示,不同年龄、近6个月男男肛交数,近1年是否做过HIV检测并知道结果、接受润滑剂免费发放、接受过同伴教育,艾滋病知识是否来源于咨询服务、宣传材料发放,是否知道性伴从不用安全套、是否知道性伴健康状况,不同场所寻找性伴这10个方面近6个月男男肛交安全套坚持使用率差异有统计学意义(x2=4.043、9.850、6.663、7.525、5.213、4.208、10.042、4.121、12.319、8.456,均有P＜0.05).多因素非条件Logistic回归分析中,最终进入回归模型的有年龄、做过HIV检测并知道结果、艾滋病知识来源于宣传材料发放、不知道性伴健康状况、寻找性伴的场所,近1年做过HIV检测并知道结果(OR=0.074)、艾滋病知识来源于宣传材料发放( OR=0.409)、以酒吧/歌舞厅/会所(OR=10.495)、浴室/公园/公厕(OR =36.601)、互联网(OR=10.807)为主要性伴寻找场所者近6个月男男肛交安全套坚持使用率较高,年龄≥35岁(OR=0.330)、不知道性伴健康状况(OR =0.892)安全套坚持使用率较低.结论 MSM人群安全套使用较低,受年龄、预防性服务、健康意识等多种因素影响,应针对性加大行为干预力度.     

天然胶乳橡胶避孕套国家比对试验经验交流

目的:对天然胶乳橡胶避孕套国家比对试验检测进行经验交流.方法:检验方法依据GB75442009 <天然乳胶橡胶避孕套技术要求试验方法>及作业指导书的要求进行.爆破体积和压力试验使用仪器为:避孕套爆破容量压力测试仪(生产商:瑞典瓦兰德公司,规格型号:M301,精度:±1.0% );针孔试验使用仪器为:充水测漏仪(生产商:瑞典瓦兰德公司).     

Cutting to the chase: Participation factors,behavioral effects,and cultural perspectives of participants in an adult circumcision campaign

Following the adoption of key national policy, several campaigns aimed at increasing the number of adult males receiving circumcisions have been implemented across South Africa. Evidence as to the likely effectiveness of such interventions comes predominantly from three large randomized-controlled trials. However, little has been written about how these campaigns are perceived by the participants. This is significant given the importance of the social issues that are implicit in determining both the ethical acceptability, and effectiveness of these campaigns. We report on a study aimed at identifying and exploring motivating factors for participation, behavioral effects, and cultural attitudes of participants towards a circumcision campaign undertaken in the Northern Cape Province. For this interpretive sociological research project, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 participants. These were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed. The main reasons given for participation included that of reducing the risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the enhancement of sexual experience. Participants insisted that they would continue to use condoms after the circumcision, although felt that other community members receiving circumcisions would not do so. Several advantages were described when receiving a circumcision at a public health facility, as opposed to the manner more traditional to the participant's culture. Whilst they did not report intentions for risk compensation, the reasons given for participation and their willingness to attribute this problem to other community members casts doubt on the veracity of their reported intentions. Furthermore, participants did not appear to have a complete understanding as to how circumcision is protective. Participants shared the belief that circumcisions as performed in the context of this campaign were safer than the traditional circumcision occurring in the area, which represents an important area for further research.     

Predictors of Condom Use Among Adolescent Thai Vocational Students

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of premarital sexual behavior and condom use, and to identify predictors of condom use using the expanded health belief model (EHBM) among vocational students in Bangkok, Thailand.
Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was used with a cluster-based sample of 425 students aged 18 to 22 years from eight randomly selected private vocational schools in Bangkok. Anonymous self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data. Stepwise multiple regression was conducted to identify predictors of condom use.
Results: Overall, 49.9% of participants were sexually active, 64.8% of men and 32% of women. Of the sexually active participants, only 6.3% reported using condoms every time when having sex in the beginning of the relationship, and 10.2% during the last few times. Twenty-four percent of sexually active participants had unplanned pregnancies, and 7% had sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The predictive model of condom use consisted of perceived benefits from using condoms; interactions between intention to use condoms and gender: knowledge of STDs, HIV, AIDS, pregnancy and peer norms; and alcohol use and age. Adjusting for modifying factors, the predictor set explained 27% of the variance in condom use.
Conclusions: Most of this sample of sexually active Thai vocational students practiced unsafe sex, and many had unplanned pregnancies and STDs. The EHBM provided a modest predictive model of condom use.     

Condom Use and Its Correlates Among Female Sex Workers in Hanoi, Vietnam

Knowledge of female sex workers’ (FSW) condom use behaviors in Vietnam is important for predicting the epidemic and designing interventions. Four hundred FSWs in Hanoi were studied in 2002. Consistent condom use in the past month was higher with irregular clients (62%), less with regular clients (41%), and lowest with “love mates” (5%). Reasons for not using condoms were partner objection, condom unavailability, and belief of partner's disease-free status. Twenty-seven percent reported not always having a condom available. Thirty-five percent reported increasing condom use in the previous 6 months. Reluctance to ask clients to use condoms and condom unavailability were independently associated with inconsistent condom use with both irregular and regular clients. Older age was also associated with inconsistent condom use with irregular clients. Condom promotion should focus on FSWs and their partners. Negative attitudes toward FSWs and condom promotion need to be changed to reduce stigmatization of FSWs and to make condom use a norm in the society.     

天然胶乳橡胶避孕套红外光谱定性研究

目的:对天然胶乳橡胶避孕套进行红外光谱定性研究。方法:采用红外光谱衰减全反射(ATR)法对24批避孕套样品及其常见原料进行测定,分析所得红外光谱图性质。结果:避孕套样品红外光谱图中能对应找到天然橡胶原料光谱图中大部分的吸收峰,同时也能找到国家标准《橡胶鉴定红外光谱法》中给出的各种天然橡胶特征吸收峰。结论:通过红外光谱定性研究实验结果,市场上的天然胶乳橡胶避孕套主要原材料为天然橡胶,未发现原料造假现象,其他原料可能对样品的红外吸收造成影响。红外光谱ATR法可作为避孕套定性鉴别的方法之一。