Factors associated with female condom use among HIV-seropositive women

Female condoms are an effective option for preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV transmission. Little is known, however, abou t female condom use in women Living with HIV/AIDS. Ninety HIV-positive wome n completed measures of demographic characteristics, exposure and use of fe male condoms, attitudes toward female and male condoms, sexual behaviours, and substance use. Most women (77%) had been exposed to female condoms, how ever only 30% reported Lifetime use, 16% reported recent use, and only 6% o f the sample used female condoms as much or more than they used male condom s. The only factors consistently associated with female condom use were pos itive attitudes toward female condoms. Women who recently used female condo ms were also more likely to have multiple male sex partners and reported fe wer unprotected intercourse occasions. Female condoms are therefore used by a small number of HIV-infected women, particularly those with more than on e male sex partner. Female condom use may be enhanced by removing barriers to their use, increasing cooperation of male partners, and enhancing profic iency of use.