Prevention strategies other than male condoms employed by low-income womento prevent HIV infection

This study sought to determine HIV prevention strategies other than male co ndom use employed by low-income women who have sex with men (WSM) and to id entify variables that predict use of these strategies. A cross-sectional su rvey of nearly 4,000 women receiving Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ben efits in 21 Missouri counties was conducted. The response rate was 58%, wit h 2,256 completed questionnaires returned. Women were asked to indicate one or more of nine methods they had ever used to prevent HIV infection. Women were also asked about their use of male condoms, preference for male condo ms versus female condoms, and which partner usually made decisions about ST D/HIV prevention. Of the 2,256 questionnaires returned, 1,325 WSM indicated use of at least one HIV prevention strategy other than condom use. Strateg ies were: being tested for HIV (68.2%), partner being tested for HIV (44.1% ), asking partner about his sex history (41.1%), using oral contraceptives (18.8%), asking him if he has HIV (13.7%), douching (11.8%), withdrawal (9. 4%), and having anal or oral sex (6.6%). Common predictors of these strateg ies were race, education, history of STD, condom use, and marital status. B asic misunderstandings about HIV prevention are common in specified subpopu lations of low-income women. HIV prevention programs for low-income WSM sho uld capitalize on women's efforts to prevent HIV by designing programs to h elp women replace ineffective prevention strategies with effective preventi on strategies.