Introduction to Global Health Promotion by Rick S. Zimmerman & Ralph J. DiClemente & Jon K. Andrus & Everold N. Hosein

Author:Rick S. Zimmerman & Ralph J. DiClemente & Jon K. Andrus & Everold N. Hosein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Male and Female Condoms

Sexual intercourse is the primary mode of HIV infection worldwide. When used consistently and correctly, the effectiveness of male latex condoms can be as high as 95% in preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (Foss et al., 2007; Pinkerton & Abramson, 1997) and may result in an 80% reduction in HIV incidence (Weller & Davis-Beaty, 2002). However, the effectiveness of condoms at the population-level is less known (Padian et al., 2008).

In contrast to male condoms, which require men's willingness to use them, female condoms allow women to have power in their sexual decision making without having to engage in condom negotiation with their male partners. Female condoms also are an effective method for prevention against HIV and may provide similar levels of protection as male condoms; although further research is needed (French et al., 2003; Gallo, Kilbourne-Brook, & Coffey, 2012; Padian et al., 2008). Findings on the acceptability of the female condom have been mixed, and they are not used as widely as male condoms because of several barriers (French et al., 2003; Gallo et al., 2012).

Challenges with both male and female condoms include that they must be used correctly and consistently. Persons also may use condoms only with certain sexual partners, placing themselves or their partners at risk for HIV transmission. However, the increased availability, education, promotion campaigns, and demand creation has increased the uptake of condoms (Padian et al., 2008).

A review of behavioral intervention programs for heterosexual men in low- to middle-income countries indicated that several interventions increased condom use among men. Various intervention strategies were used, including information-motivational-behavioral (IMB) principals, peer education, and community-based interventions (Townsend et al., 2013). Additionally, reviews of HIV prevention programs in the United States for women have suggested that the most efficacious interventions (a) are guided by social psychological theories, (b) include only women, (c) emphasize gender-related influences, such as gender-based power imbalances, and sexual assertiveness, and (d) are led by peers (Exner, Seal, & Ehrhardt, 1997; Wingood & DiClemente, 1996; Wingood, Reddy et al., 2013). Multiple HIV behavioral interventions for women in the United States also have been shown to be effective in reducing risky sexual behavior and increasing condom use (Lyles et al., 2007). Additionally, interventions among diverse populations that addressed sociocultural barriers were more effective at increasing condom use (Scott-Sheldon et al., 2011). However, despite the strong evidence for behavioral interventions and increased condom use, a recent review indicated that there is limited effectiveness for behavioral interventions improving condom use for dual protection (Lopez et al., 2013). Therefore, further research and programmatic efforts are needed for dual protection condom use. A large number of HIV prevention behavioral interventions have been theory based and several reviews and meta-analyses have examined the frameworks and models which have been used most often, resulting in effective behavior change (see Box 11.1).

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