Use your browser's BACK button to return to your page of origin.
Dual contraceptive method use for pregnancy and disease prevention among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women: the importance of an event-level focus for promoting safer sexual behaviors.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2003;30(11):809-812.
Wilson TE, Koenig LJ, Walter E, Fernandez I, Ethier K.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many women who report condom use also use other
methods of birth control such as oral contraceptive pills. The use of 2 or
more contraceptive methods often results in less consistent condom use. GOAL:
This study sought to document the prevalence and patterns of such dual contraceptive
use among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women, and to assess factors
associated with condom-only versus dual contraceptive use. STUDY DESIGN:
At 6 months postpartum, 361 sexually active women were interviewed regarding
sexual behavior, male condom and other contraceptive use, and psychosocial
factors. RESULTS: Dual contraceptive method use was reported by 39% of sexually
active women; 30% reported using condoms only. Almost two thirds of dual
method users (64%) reported always using these methods together (ie, simultaneously)
during vaginal sex. Among dual users, those who used methods simultaneously
were more likely to be HIV-seropositive (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 1.2-6.5), to believe that a pregnancy would be very upsetting
should it occur in the next 6 months (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.4), and to report
no alcohol use (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.5-9.2). CONCLUSION: Dual contraceptive
users should be encouraged to use methods together at every episode of vaginal
sex. Interventions promoting simultaneous use should include pregnancy attitudes
and the role of alcohol use, as well as a consideration of HIV serostatus
as it impacts on dual use.