PLANNED CONDOM USE AMONG WOMEN UNDERGOING TUBAL-STERILIZATION

Background and Objectives: Women who are undergoing tubal sterilizatio n are at risk for various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) if they do not use a barrier method of contraception, There is a paucity of d ata concerning dual use of condoms among sterilized women. Goal: Plann ed use of condoms for protection against STDs was examined among 2,782 women undergoing surgical sterilization from 1991 to 1996. Study Desi gn: Cross-sectional survey. Results: Planned condom use increased sign ificantly over the 6-year study period, Of women who were using condom s before sterilization (n = 646), nearly half indicated no plans to do so after becoming sterilized, Thus, 11% of the total sample experienc ed an increased risk for exposure to human immunodeficiency virus or o ther STDs. Condom abandonment was significantly higher among Hispanic and married women, Multiple regression analysis was used to examine th e association between condom use and various characteristics. Factors associated with future condom use were younger age, black ethnicity, b eing unmarried, previous STD, not having a steady partner, higher numb er of previous sexual partners, having used condoms for disease preven tion in the past, and lack of partner involvement in the decision to u ndergo sterilization. Conclusions: Use of condoms among sterilized wom en appears to be on the rise, women at higher risk for disease are mor e likely than others to be using condoms, and only a small group of wo men experience an increased risk for exposure to disease as a result o f selecting this permanent method of contraception.