National trends in condom use among at-risk heterosexuals in the united states

Based on national level surveys, we examined data relevant to the United States' overall effort to prevent the spread of HIV among heterosexual adults. We examined changes in condom use among at-risk heterosexuals over the past decade. The observed increases over time in condom use across all heterosexual at-risk population segments are consistent with the observed (declines) trends in HIV and syphilis in the 1990s. These results and findings from prior studies suggest that U.S. efforts to facilitate condom use and contain HIV and related sexually transmitted disease (STD)-cofactors among adult at risk heterosexuals was succeeding over most of the 1990s. The absence of national level behavioral trend data after 1996, and the ambiguities of HIV spread suggest some caution in projecting trends into this century. National and local efforts need to be directed at sustaining behavioral change and conducting more rigorous studies on population trends in HIV/STD-related behaviors/pathogens.