CHANGES IN CONDOM USE AMONG BLACK, HISPANIC, AND WHITE HETEROSEXUALS IN SAN-FRANCISCO - THE AMEN COHORT SURVEY

We examined changes in condom use over a one-year period (1988-89 to 1 989-90) among heterosexual Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics (aged 20-45 y ears) with a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related risk factor in a community-based longitudinal sample (n = 716). This study is the fi rst to examine changes in condom use based on a random household proba bility sample of heterosexuals in high risk neighborhoods of a major H IV epicenter. Heterosexuals with a risk factor made only marginal gain s toward increasing their condom use to highly efficacious levels (100 % use) from Wave I to II (4% net increase). Blacks, people without a p rimary partner, and the never married were significantly more likely t han other social strata to increase condom use from low-moderate use a t Wave I to always using condoms at Wave II. Nevertheless, changes acr oss social strata remain modest with intravenous drug users (IDUs) and Hispanic women showing negative or no change. The young and highly ed ucated were the most likely to maintain moderate to high levels of con dom use over time. These findings provide guidance to AIDS-prevention efforts by identifying subpopulations in need of more robust preventio n programs.