Cohen, D., Dent, C., & MacKinnon, D. (1991). Journal of Sex Research, 28 (1), 139 - 144
Description of Intervention: Condom Skills Education
This intervention was based on the premise that familiarity with condoms and skills in using condoms properly are necessary for increasing future condom use. The intervention consisted of a brief condom skills education session led by a health educator who was an African-American woman. The intervention was delivered in a single 30-minute group session to people waiting for appointments in a Los Angeles STD clinic.
The session began with a 10- to 15-minute presentation in which the health educator emphasized 3 important points for effective condom use: condoms should be made of latex, condoms should have a reservoir tip or space left at the end, and condoms should be lubricated with a spermicide. The session included group discussion of how condoms should be used and a demonstration of how to put on a condom. The health educator referred to a poster that displayed a variety of condoms with their packaging. The presentation was followed by a 10- to 15-minute question-and-answer session. |
Intervention Goal(s): To determine the effects of a small group intervention on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Intervention Setting: Waiting room of an STD clinic.
Population: Of the 192 adults who participated in the study, 59% were male and 41% were female; 67% were African American, 15% were Hispanic, and 19% were of other racial/ethnic groups. The median age of the participants was 25 years, ranging from 15 to 61 years.
Comparison Condition: Usual services available in the STD clinic.
Behavioral/Health Findings: Men and women who participated in the intervention were significantly less likely to return to the STD clinic within the next 12 months with a new STD than those in the comparison condition.
Contact:
Deborah A. Cohen, MD, MPH
Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
1600 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504 680-9450
Fax: 504 680-9453
E-mail: dcohen@lsumc.edu
Go to Group Discussion Condom
Promotion
This study meets CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis project criteria for relevance and methodological rigor and also has the positive and significant behavioral/health findings required for the Compendium. Date added 1/99
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