4322.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 8:50 PM

Abstract #10454

Cultural beliefs about what men and women do to get their partners to use condoms

Sheryl Thorburn Bird, PhD, MPH1, S. Marie Harvey, DrPH1, Linda J. Beckman, PhD2, Nancy H. Vuckovic, PhD3, Sarah J. Satre, MS4, Ann Ussery, MPH5, and Heather Huszti, PhD6. (1) Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon, 1201 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1201, 541-346-5111, stbird@oregon.uoregon.edu, (2) California School of Professional Psychology, 1000 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803-1360, (3) Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Kaiser Center Dr, Portland, OR, (4) PARTNERS Project, Public Health Institute, 2999 Overland Ave., Suite 207A, Los Angeles, CA 90064, (5) Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE Mailstop K34, Atlanta, GA 30341, (6) Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 940 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Condom use generally requires the cooperation or consent of sexual partners. In order for some individuals to protect themselves from HIV/STDs, they must successfully influence their partners to use condoms. This study examined cultural beliefs of a sample of African Americans regarding what men and women do to get their partners to use condoms. Interviews were conducted with 40 African American men and 40 African American women in Portland, Oregon. Female respondents were asked to indicate their agreement with 26 statements about influencing strategies used by women to get their partners to use condoms. Male respondents were asked to indicate their agreement with 26 similar statements about influencing strategies used by men. The statements were based on findings from qualitative interviews with a sample of African American couples in an earlier phase of the project. Data were analyzed by means of cultural consensus modeling. Results indicate that male and female respondents shared a common cultural model about the influencing strategies used by men and women, respectively. Central to the model of influencing strategies used by women was the belief that "To get their partners to use condoms, women say we're using condoms or we're not having sex." In the model of strategies used by men, male respondents most strongly agreed that "To get their partners to use condoms, men tell their partners that they don't want to get them pregnant." Other shared beliefs regarding influencing strategies for condom use will be presented. Implications of findings will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify five cultural beliefs of African American women regarding strategies used by women to get their partners to use condoms. 2. Identify five cultural beliefs of African American men regarding strategies used by men to get their partners to use condoms. 3. Discuss the implications of cultural beliefs about strategies for getting partners to use condoms for the design of interventions to increase condom use among African American couples

Keywords: Condom Use, STD Prevention

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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA