Assessing Perceived Risk and STI Prevention Behavior: A National Population-Based Study with Special Reference to HPV

Abstract

IntroductionTo better understand trends in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, specifically low prevalence of condom use with temporary partners, the aim of this study was to examine factors associated with condom use and perceptions of STI risk amongst individuals at risk, with the underlying assumption that STI risk perceptions and STI prevention behaviors are correlated.MethodsA national population-based survey on human papillomavirus (HPV) and sexual habits of young adults aged 18–30 was conducted in Sweden in 2007, with 1712 men and 8855 women participating. Regression analyses stratified by gender were performed to measure condom use with temporary partners and STI risk perception.ResultsMen's condom use was not associated with STI risk perception while women's was. Awareness of and disease severity perceptions were not associated with either condom use or risk perception though education level correlated with condom use. Women's young age at sexual debut was associated with a higher risk of non-condom use later in life (OR 1.95 95% CI: 1.46–2.60). Women with immigrant mothers were less likely to report seldom/never use of condoms with temporary partners compared to women with Swedish-born mothers (OR 0.53 95% CI: 0.37–0.77). Correlates to STI risk perception differ substantially between sexes. Number of reported temporary partners was the only factor associated for both men and women with condom use and STI risk perception.ConclusionsPublic health interventions advocating condom use with new partners could consider employing tactics besides those which primarily aim to increase knowledge or self-perceived risk if they are to be more effective in STI reduction. Gender-specific prevention strategies could be effective considering the differences found in this study.

Perspectives on HIV Prevention Among Urban Black Women: A Potential Role for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

“…45 Women's preferences regarding condom use is influenced by numerous contextual factors (personal, behavioral, and socioeconomic). [10][11][12][46][47][48] The current investigation provides novel insights about how these same factors may also influence the uptake of oral or topical PrEP in an at-risk US population.…”

“…Socioeconomic factors that were explored included poverty and access to care. 33 Physical exposures manifest as behavioral risk factors including having one or more partners at high risk for HIV acquisition, 34 history of sexual abuse, 35 degree of perceived control, 33 current HIV risk perception and use of preventive interventions such as condoms, 11 and partner communication 36 Social norms included religious affiliations, 37 desire to conceive, 38 and lack of knowledge of HIV prevention strategies. 39 Discussions explored how these domains influenced acceptability of PrEP, preferred setting and provider type for accessing PrEP, 40 and hypothetical preferences for oral vs. topical PrEP administered as an intravaginal gel.…”

“…9 For heterosexual women, barriers to condom use include fear of perceived unfaithfulness, 10 financial barriers, 10 personal perception of being low-risk, 11 educational status, 12 and desire to conceive. 12 Women subjected to intimate partner violence 13 or who experience high partner-related barriers to condom use are also more likely to report risky sexual behaviors.…”

Self-perceived risk and prevalent chlamydia infection among adolescents in Norway: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…The ordinal logistic regression model estimates one regression coefficient over the four levels of self-perceived risk and calculates the probability of being in the higher categories of the dependent variable. Selection of explanatory variables was based on current literature19 21 22 and factors we believed a priori to be important 17. All variables were retained in the multivariable models and tested for gender-interaction.…”

Attachment and Associated Sexual Health Behaviors of Heterosexual Mexican Housewives

“…Exavery et al (2012) documented condom use in the most recent intercourse, as practiced by 12.4% of women who were married or living with a partner as married. Low educational level (9 years) and limited knowledge have been linked with limited condom use and misconceptions about STI prevention and transmission (Cinelli et al, 2008;Leval et al, 2011;Parada et al, 2010;Villegas Rodríguez, Ferrer Lagunas, Cianelli Acosta, Lara Campos, & Peragallo, 2011). In our study, these outcomes were linked negatively with avoidant attachment.…”