Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #119073

Michael Reece, PhD, MPH¹, Debby Herbenick, MPH¹, Patrick Monahan, PhD², Stephanie A. Sanders, PhD³, and William L. Yarber, HSD⁴. (1) Sexual Health Research Working Group, Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER Building 116, 1025 E. Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7109, 812-855-0068, mireece@indiana.edu, (2) Division of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1111 Middle Drive, NU 340E, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (3) The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction and Department of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Morrison Hall 313, 1165 East Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-3700, (4) Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405

Background: The purpose of this study was to conduct an experimental assessment of the TheyFitTM condom in order to determine its rates of breakage and slippage and to assess user perceptions of fit, feel, and overall satisfaction with its use as compared to a standard sized condom. Method: Using a prospective Internet-based daily diary, data were collected from 1,420 male condom users. With an experimental cross-over design, participants provided data on their sexual behaviors and the use of each condom type over a 30 day period. Results: Significant associations were found between penis size and reports of past condom breakage and slippage as well as attitudes toward condoms among men upon their enrollment into the study. Using General Estimating Equations (GEE) to compare breakage and slippage rates by condom type over the 30 day prospective reporting period, there were significant differences between the two condoms with regard to the incidents of total breakage (p < .05). Participants also more positive perceptions of fit and feel with the TheyFitTM condom than with the standard condom (p < .01). Conclusions: This preliminary study of the TheyFitTM condom in non-clinical settings appears to support the notion that a “sized to fit” condom, when compared to a standard-sized condom, results in more desirable outcomes for some condom users, particularly those who have penis sizes that are inconsistent with the dimensions of the standard sized condom. This may have important implications for professionals delivering interventions to increase condom use among those at risk for HIV.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand the relations between penis size and the breakage and slippage rates of condoms among regular condom users.
• Participants will understand the factors associated with regular condom users' perceptions of condom fit and feel.
• Participants will understand the difference between users' ratings of sexual satisfaction, condom comfort, and patterns of condom breakage and slippage when comparing a "sized to fit" condom to a standard-sized condom.

Keywords: Condom Use, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF The distributor of the TheyFit condom provided all condoms used during this study..