CONTEXT Little evidence is available from India concerning young people's use of condoms in premarital relationships. METHODS Data from a subnationally representative study of Indian youth conducted in 2006-2008 were used to assess condom use in premarital relationships. Analyses used survey data from 2,408 married or unmarried youth aged 15-24 who had had premarital sex, and qualitative data...

OBJECTIVE We tested the effect of nonoxynol-9 (N-9) in condom lubrication on the risk of acquiring STD and genital discomfort. METHODS The study was a triple masked, randomised controlled trial comparing N-9 lubricated condoms with plain silicone lubricated condoms among Dominican female sex workers. RESULTS Randomisation provided two groups (313 for N-9 and 322 for plain) similar in baseli...

The aim of the study is to investigate knowledge and sexual practices with reference to correct use of condoms among first year South African University students. The sample consisted of 206 participants, 146 female and 60 male, the mean age was 20.9 years (SD = 3.4), with a range from 17 to 34 years. Results indicated that one third (29.2%) of the sample reported never using condoms, 35.4% alw...

Sex workers are considered a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and are often targeted by prevention interventions with safer sex messages. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which knowledge of HIV and perception of risk influence safer sex practices among female sex workers (FSWs) in Port Moresby, Papua New Gui...

In the Western world the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS and AIDS related conditions, is transmitted mainly by anogenital sexual intercourse between men. Since prevention of transmission is at present the only way of controlling the epidemic, prevention programs should be aimed at homosexual men. Information campaigns have resulted in some change in sexual behavior among...

BACKGROUND Despite the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV infection in US correctional settings, most jails and prisons in the United States prevent inmates from using condoms to prevent STIs/HIV. DISCUSSION This article makes the following arguments to justify a scalable and feasible next step in the prevention of HIV/STIs among inmates: condoms are a basic and...

PURPOSE Men's attitudes toward contraceptives are an understudied area, even though many men participate in contraceptive decision making. The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes and perceptions regarding a selection of contraceptive methods among a national sample of African Americans, with a particular focus on gender differences. METHODS Data come from a telephone survey of Afri...

This article introduces and summarizes the contents of this special edition. Given the exceptional potential of condoms to avert epidemics of sexually transmitted infections and teen or unintended pregnancy - even in low-resource environments - this in-depth examination of current knowledge, practice, and issues with condoms and their use is an important asset for educators and practitioners wo...

CONTEXT Whereas the female condom has been evaluated in many hypothetical acceptability or short-term use studies, there is little information about its suitability for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or HIV over extended periods of time. METHODOLOGY As part of a six-month prospective follow-up study of 1,159 STD clinic patients, clients were interviewed during their in...