US EPA

3238810 

Journal Article 

Patterns and predictors of female condom use among ethnically diverse women attending family planning clinics 

Choi, KH; Gregorich, SE; Anderson, K; Grinstead, O; Gomez, CA 

2003 

1 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
ISSN: 0148-5717
EISSN: 1537-4521 

30 

1 

91-98 

WOS:000180289500018 

Background: The female condom is a viable option for women
to protect themselves from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. Goal: The goal
was to examine the level of female condom use and factors associated with frequency of use among
US women living in San Francisco and Oakland, California. Study Design: Of 238 women recruited
from family planning clinics from July 1998 to April 1999, 206 were interviewed at both baseline
and 3-month follow-up (a 92% retention rate). Results: We observed a significant increase in
vaginal sexual acts protected by the female condom during the study but no reduction in male
condom use. Overall, 82% of women reported using a female condom at least once, but the
proportion of sexual acts protected by the female condom was only 17%. Multivariate analyses
showed that female condom use was associated with suggesting female condom use to one's partner,
less concern about device appearance, and a partner's positive attitude about the female condom.
Conclusion: Our data indicate that female condom use supplements male condom use and leads to an
increase in protected sex. The results also suggest that attitudinal and communication factors
can increase female condom use.