A study of condom acceptability among men in an urban population in South India.

Abstract

This study examines the acceptability of condoms to men from Chennai, South India. A sample of 150 male respondents who, in the main, had at least one risky sexual experience with a commercial sex worker or multiple partners was interviewed. The respondents included HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals at sexually transmitted disease clinics, college students, and homosexuals. Awareness of condom usage was high, and 83% had used condoms at least once. The reasons for using condoms were protection from disease (43%), protection from AIDS (20%), and partner insistence (25%). Seventy-three percent of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction. Of those who used condoms for the first time, 72% were HIV negative, compared to 34% among those who did not use condoms. This indicates the need for developing the "condom habit," as using condoms at the first sexual experience is a strong predictor of future condom use.

• Authors: Beena Elizabeth Thomas, Fathima Rehman, Muniyandi Malaisamy, Meenalochini Dilip, Mohanarani Suhadev, Padma Priyadarsini, Narendar Kilathi Purushotham, Soumya Swaminathan
• Journal: AIDS and behavior (AIDS Behav) Vol. 8 Issue 2 Pg. 215-20 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 1090-7165 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15187483 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (prevention & control, transmission)
• Adolescent
• Condoms
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Health Surveys
• Humans
• India
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Public Opinion
• Risk Factors
• Risk-Taking
• Sexual Behavior
• Urban Population