243420 Assessing condom-related knowledge and attitudes utilizing condom video demonstrations

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Ariane V. Hollub, PhD, CHES, OTR , Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Joshua G. Rosenberger, MPH , Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
David S. Novak, MSW , OLB Research Institute, Online Buddies Inc., Cambridge, MA
Terence A. Gerace Jr., MD , Private Practice, Washington, DC
Michael Reece, PhD , Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain one of the most disproportionately impacted groups by HIV and STIs in the US. To date, several community-based organizations have produced safer sex and condom demonstration videos as part of STI and HIV prevention. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of explicit and non-explicit educational videos with a focus on condom-related knowledge and attitude among a large sample of MSM. Methods: Participants were recruited via an email message sent to members of a large social/sexual internet site for MSM. Study participants were randomly assigned to watch one of seven condom/safer sex demonstration videos, including 2 control videos. Condom-related knowledge was assessed with a brief 7-item scale, and condom-related attitude was examined using the 14-item Multi-Factor Attitude toward Condoms Scale (MFACS), both before and after the condom demonstration video. Results: Data were collected from 6,850 men across the US. A significant difference (p < .001) was found between the condom-related knowledge of the control group (M = 10.66, SD = 3.07) and the experimental group (M = 12.55, SD = 2.33). A significant difference (p < .05) also existed between the MFACS scores, with the experimental group demonstrating a significantly higher score than the control group. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of content used in condom demonstrations to increase condom knowledge and attitudes. Future public health efforts should consider the use of video and new media as part of comprehensive STI/HIV programming.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify effective condom demonstration videos which improve condom-related knowledge and attitude among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Keywords: HIV Interventions, STD Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a doctorate degree in health behavior, and have been a certified health education specialist for five years. I have conducted sexual health research, including HIV/AIDS and STI prevention.
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.