The purpose of this study was to determine the personal, relationship and physical factors that affect the initial and continued use of a non-latex condoms by women and their partners who are latex sensitive. Couples who had at least one partner who is latex sensitive were asked to use two brands of polyurethane condoms for six weeks each and rate their performance characteristics. The couples completed the Beavers-Timberlawn Evaluation Family System Rating Scales and the Affcet Balance Scale prior to use of the condoms. The physical factors affecting use of each condom were determined by completion of a short questionnaire following use of each condom type each week. BTEFS subscales (structure, autonomy, affect, perception of reality and task efficiency)were analyzed for each couple. There was a strong positive correlation between the ABS ratings and the affect subscale. Those couples who rated the non-latex condom as satifactory and used the condoms had higher ratings of autonomy and affect. These findings support the importance of understanding the decision making process regarding contraceptive choice among couples and the implications for contraceptive success and infectious disease prevention.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the factors affecting condom use by women and their partners. 2. Determine the concerns of latex sensitive women regarding condoms use. 3. Decsribe the user characteristics of women and their partners that affect the decision to use non-latex condoms. 4. Decsribe the relationship characteristics that are associated with successful use of the non-latex condom with latex sensitive couples.
Keywords: Contraception, Health Risks
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.