Predictors of Consistent Condom Use among Portuguese Women Attending Family Planning Clinics

Women account for 30% of all AIDS cases reported to the Health Ministry in Portugal and most infections are acquired through unprotected heterosexual sex with infected partners. This study analyzed socio-demographic and psychosocial predictors of consistent condom use and the role of education as a moderator variable among Portuguese women attending family planning clinics. 

A cross-sectional study using interviewer-administered fully structured questionnaires was conducted among 767 sexually active women (ages 18-65). Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between consistent condom use and the predictor variables. 

• Overall, 78.7% of the women were inconsistent condom users. 
• The results showed that consistent condom use was predicted by marital status (being not married), having greater perceptions of condom negotiation self-efficacy, having preparatory safer sexual behaviors, and not using condoms only when practicing abstinence. 
• Living with a partner and having lack of risk perception significantly predicted inconsistent condom use. 
• Less educated women were less likely to use condoms even when they perceive being at risk. 
• The full model explained 53% of the variance in consistent condom use. 

This study emphasizes the need for implementing effective prevention interventions in this population showing the importance of taking education into consideration.

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By: Costa EC1, Oliveira R, Ferreira D, Pereira MG.

• 1a Department of Psychology, Portuguese Catholic University, Braga , Portugal.

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