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Women's beliefs concerning condom acquisition and use
1Nursing School, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA.
Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.)
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Women value condoms for preventing pregnancy and STIs, but embarrassment and partner objections can hinder consistent use. Understanding these beliefs is key to promoting effective protection strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Condom use is crucial for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Individual behavior significantly influences condom effectiveness.
- Understanding women's attitudes and beliefs is vital for promoting consistent condom use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify salient beliefs and attitudes of adult women regarding condom acquisition and use.
- To apply the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand intentional condom use.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 58 community women who used condoms for contraception within the last five years.
- Face-to-face, audiotaped interviews with open-ended questions.
- Content analysis of narratives to identify recurrent themes.
Main Results:
- Women identified accessibility and effectiveness (pregnancy/STI prevention) as key advantages.
- Barriers included embarrassment, male partner objections, and impact on spontaneity.
- Participants demonstrated accurate knowledge of condom benefits.
Conclusions:
- Despite accurate knowledge, negative beliefs may override positive attitudes, potentially reducing consistent condom use.
- Addressing psychosocial barriers is essential for improving contraceptive and STI prevention strategies.
- Interventions should consider factors influencing decision-making regarding condom acquisition and use.