Gender differences in sexual risk behavior and condom attitudes among Dominican university students

HIV transmission among young people in the Dominican Republic (DR) remains a significant international public health concern. Previous studies have focused on high risk groups, such as sex workers and MSM; however, relatively little known about the sexual risk behavior (SRB) of young Dominicans in general. The present study describes SRB and condom attitudes among Dominican university students. Self-administered surveys were completed by a random sample of the University student population during the summer of 2006 (n = 781). An adapted version of the UCLA Condom Attitude Scale was used to assess condom attitudes. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS. Median age of participants was 22.0 (range 17 to 30). 77.1% of men reported ever having vaginal intercourse compared to 59.9% of women (p = < 0.01). Men had 7.41 (s.d. = 7.86) lifetime sexual partners compared to 2.08 (s.d. = 1.78) for women (p = <0.01). 62.6% of men reported using a condom at last intercourse compared to 43.8% of women (p = < 0.01). No statistically significant differences in condom attitudes were observed between men and women, yet condom attitudes were a significant predictor of having used a condom at last intercourse, even after controlling for the effects of age and gender (p = 0.01). Dominican young people, especially young women, are at elevated risk for HIV infection. Gender-specific HIV prevention efforts focused on improving condom attitudes may be helpful in reducing the spread of HIV among Dominican university students. Cultural barriers to condom use among Dominican young women are explored.