Difference in Condom Use Among Sexually Active Males at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and black men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW) may not perceive themselves to be part of the larger gay community and hence may not heed prevention messages aimed at the community. Objective and Participants To better understand the participants behaviors, the authors examined differences in condom use between black MSM/W (including MSM and MSMW) and men who have sex with women (MSW) at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Methods A paper-and-pencil questionnaire survey investigated sexual behaviors of 1,865 freshmen from 35 HBCUs during the 2001–2002 school year. Results MSM/W were about 0.37 times less likely to always use condoms compared with MSW (adjusted odds ratio = 0.63, 95% confidence interval = 0.42–0.95). Sexual behavior, age at survey, total family income, and religion were also associated with condom use. Conclusions These findings offer new directions for sexually transmitted disease and HIV prevention aimed at a highly marginalized population that remains at high risk for infection.

The Paradox of Risk: Historically Black College/University Students and Sexual Health

“…14 In a qualitative study of factors related to sexual decision making, Thompson-Robinson described a theme that emerged such that HBCU students perceived that religiosity impacted decisions to engage in sex and this impact was more prominent for women than men. 22 In contrast, several studies found that religiosity was not associated with sexual risk taking behaviors 25,28,23 However, after adjusting for covariates, Washington and colleagues found that students who reported religion as extremely important or very important were more likely to use condoms that students who reported religion as not at all important or somewhat important. 25 …”

“…22 In contrast, several studies found that religiosity was not associated with sexual risk taking behaviors 25,28,23 However, after adjusting for covariates, Washington and colleagues found that students who reported religion as extremely important or very important were more likely to use condoms that students who reported religion as not at all important or somewhat important. 25 …”

Early Sexual Experience and Later Onset of Illegal Drug Use Among African American Students on HBCU Campuses

“…This study used data from the 2001 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Substance Use Survey conducted by the National HBCU Substance Use Consortium with funding from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (Browne, Clubb, Wang, and Wagner, in press; Washington, Wang and Browne, 2009). An anonymous survey was administered to entering freshmen on 35 HBCU campuses located in 17 states in the southern, mid-western and eastern regions of the United States.…”

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

“…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.…”