195339 Perceptions of condom fit and feel and relations with condom use among men living with HIV

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Lindsay Briggs, PhD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Michael Reece, PhD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Brian Dodge, PhD , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Richard Glover , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
BACKGROUND: Among reasons that men have given for their lack of condom use is their perception that condoms do not fit properly or feel comfortable. While these perceptions have been documented in the literature, they have not been assessed among men living with HIV.

METHODS: Data from 215 men living with HIV were collected during their appointments at HIV care organizations. Participants completed the Condom Fit and Feel Scale and measures related to demographics and condom use during recent sexual behaviors (past 90 days).

RESULTS: Most men were African American (70%) and identified as gay (59%). Over one-third (37%) were also living with AIDS. Most reported that condoms fit fine (63%) yet significant proportions described condoms as being too tight (30%) or too short (24%). Additionally, 26% described condoms as too long and 19% as too loose. Associations were detected between men's perceptions of condom fit and their likelihood of reporting unprotected anal, but not vaginal, intercourse, with men believing that condoms were too loose more likely to report unprotected anal intercourse with women (p < .05) and men describing condoms as too tight more likely to report the same behavior with men (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Given opportunities for incorporating HIV prevention interventions across the HIV care continuum, the Condom Fit and Feel Scale may be a valuable tool for helping providers initiate conversations with men about their resistance to condoms to subsequently help them to select from condoms on the market that they may perceive as better fitting or more comfortable.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will: 1. Be able to list the challenges to the fit and comfort that men living with HIV have described. 2. Be able to describe the manner in which the condom fit and feel scale can be incorporated into HIV related interventions.

Keywords: Condom Use, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: five years of research in this area, currently doctoral student
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.