Condom

Abstract: 376 soldiers leaving for Australia after 12 months in Vietnam were interviewed about their sexual behavior while in Vietnam and while on a 7 day rest and recreation leave spent in Australia or in Hong Kong Bangkok or Taipei. Over 85% of soldiers were younger than 26; 65.5% had intercourse while in Vietnam the percentage being 74.5% among unmarried and 51% among married soldiers. Mean age at 1st intercourse was 17; 74% had been circumcised. Venereal infection before service in Vietnam had been acquired by 9.6% of soldiers; in contrast 27% of those having intercourse in Vietnam or during the leave acquired venereal disease (VD); of these only 7% were married. Only 15% of single soldiers used a condom as compared to 39.5% of married soldiers; no solder who used a condom on all occasions acquired VD. 29% of those having intercourse usually did so under the influence of alcohol. Reasons for abstinence from intercourse was fidelity in 67% of married men followed by religiouis or ethical reasons and fear of VD; fear of VD was the major deterrent from intercourse also among unmarried soldiers. It is possible to see from this study that some of the factors influencing the high incidence of VD in wartime have to do with altered behavior patterns mainly the promiscuity with prostitutes who are known to have a high rate of venereal infection and the influence of alcohol. The findings also suggest that the condom is a very effective prophylactic; nevertheless a condom was used routinely by only 22.5% of soldiers. The findings also show that in wartime circumcision may become a significant influence on the total morbidity from sexual relations.

Abstract: Objectives : We developed and evaluated a multifaceted AIDS prevention program to increase condom use among sex workers in the city of Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Subjects and methods : A year-long intervention targeted sex workers, brothel owners and clients, promoted cooperation between these groups and the public health office and established a free condom supply for sex establishments. Nearly 500 women from 43 establishments took part in the program, encompassing nearly all direct sex workers in urban Chiang Mai. The intervention included repeated small-group training sessions for sex workers in which experienced women ('superstars') acted as peer educators. The 'model brothel' component encouraged all brothel owners in Chiang Mai to insist on mandatory use of condoms by sex workers and to encourage clients to use condoms. Before and after the intervention, specially trained volunteers posing as clients tested a subsample of sex workers to see whether they insisted on condom use. Results : The intervention was well received by sex workers and obtained strong support and cooperation from brothel owners. Before the intervention, only 42% (10/24) of women surveyed by volunteers posing as clients refused to have sex without a condom, even when the client insisted and offered to pay three times the usual fee. Following the program, 92% (72/78) refused ; 1 year later, 78% (69/85) refused during the same scenario. Conclusions : An innovative program directly involving sex workers as peer educators and enlisting the support of brothel owners and operators can result in improved condom use over time. Lessons learned from this program may be applicable elsewhere.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES. This paper analyzes age- and period-related changes in risk behaviors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and sexually transmitted diseases among young men in the United States between 1988 and 1991. METHODS. Data were from the 1988 and 1991 waves of the National Survey of Adolescent Males. The 1988 survey was a nationally representative survey of 1880 males aged 15 through 19 years. The 1991 survey was a longitudinal follow-up of 1676 males aged 17 through 22 years. RESULTS. As they aged, the young men increased their levels of sexual activity and decreased their condom use. Period-related changes between 1988 and 1991 were examined by comparing similar cohorts of 17.5- through 19-year-old men: there were signs that sexual activity and intravenous drug injection increased, but condom use did not change significantly. In 1991 51% of the young men said they were occasionally "high" during sex, a state that is related to reduced condom use. CONCLUSIONS. Early progress in fostering s...

Abstract: Evidence suggests that HIV prevalence amongst young Zambians has declined recently, especially in higher-education groups. We studied trends in key sexual behaviour indicators among 15–24 year-olds from 1995 to 2003, including the associations between sexual behaviour change and education. The data stem from a series of three population-based surveys conducted in 1995 (n = 1720), 1999 (n = 1946) and 2003 (n = 2637). Logistic regression and Extended Mantel Haenszel Chi Square for linear trends were used to compare the three surveys. Men and lower-education groups reported more than one sexual partner in the year immediately prior to the survey more frequently than did women and higher-education groups (p < 0.01), but these proportions declined regardless of sex and residence. Substantial delays in child-bearing were observed, particularly among higher-education and urban respondents. Condom use at least for casual sexual intercourse increased from 1995 to 2003; the level was highest among urban and higher-education groups. The number of women reporting frequent dry sex using traditional agents fell during the period. Participants from the rural area and those with less education reported more sexual experience than urban and higher-education participants in 2003. The reported number of sexual partners during the year immediately prior to the survey was a factor that reduced the association between HIV and survey times among sexually active young urban men and women. High risk behaviours clearly decreased, especially in higher-educated and urban groups, and there is a probable association here with the decline in HIV prevalence in the study population. Fewer sexual partners and condom use were among the core factors involved for both sexes; and for women a further factor was delayed child-bearing.