Psychosocial factors associated with the stages of change for condom use among women at risk for HIV and STDs: Implications for intervention development

This study examined the prevalence of consistent condom use among inner-cit y women at risk for HIV, measured the distribution of these women across th e stages of change for condom use, determined psychosocial factors associat ed with the stages, and suggested intervention strategies based on the resu lts. The 5-city sample of women aged 15-34 years consisted predominantly of African Americans. Only 18% reported consistent condom use with main partn ers and 45% with other partners. Logistic regressions compared women in eac h stage of change with those in higher stages for each partner type. Result s indicated that women who practice or intend to practice consistent condom use were more likely to talk with others about condoms, acknowledge the ad vantages of condoms, have higher self-efficacy for condom use, and indicate that people important to them favored condom use. Intervention approaches are suggested for women in different stages of change for condom use.