Condom Use Errors & Problems: A Comparative Study of HIV-Positive versus HIV-Negative Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

To describe self-reported frequencies of selected condom use errors and problems among young (age, 15-29 years) black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and to compare the observed prevalence of these errors/problems by HIV serostatus.

Between September 2012 October 2014, electronic interview data were collected from 369 YBMSM attending a federally supported sexually transmitted infection clinic located in the southern United States. Seventeen condom use errors and problems were assessed. χ Tests were used to detect significant differences in the prevalence of these 17 errors and problems between HIV-negative and HIV-positive men.

The recall period was the past 90 days. 

• The overall mean (SD) number of errors/problems was 2.98 (2.29). 
• The mean (SD) for HIV-negative men was 2.91 (2.15), and 
• the mean (SD) for HIV-positive men was 3.18 (2.57). 

These means were not significantly different (t = 1.02, df = 367, P = 0.31). Only 2 significant differences were observed between HIV-negative and HIV-positive men. 

• Breakage and slippage were about twice as likely among HIV-positive men. 
• Breakage occurred for nearly 30% of the HIV-positive men
• Compared with approximately 15% among HIV-negative men. 
• Slippage occurred for approximately 16% of the HIV-positive men compared with approximately 9% among HIV-negative men.

A need exists to help YBMSM acquire the skills needed to avert breakage and slippage issues that could lead to HIV transmission. Beyond these 2 exceptions, condom use errors and problems were ubiquitous in this population regardless of HIV serostatus. 

Clinic-based intervention is warranted for these young men, including education about correct condom use and provision of free condoms and long-lasting lubricants.

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By: Crosby R1, Mena L, Yarber WL, Graham CA, Sanders SA, Milhausen RR.

• 1From the *College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; †The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Bloomington, IN; ‡University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; Departments of §Gender Studies and ¶Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; ∥Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK; and **Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Geulph, Ontario, Canada.  

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