OBJECTIVE:
We
examined the relationship between American Indian men's attitudes toward
pregnancy prevention, STI/HIV prevention, and sexual risk behavior. Attention
was given to: (1) attitudes and intentions to use condoms and sexual risk
behavior; (2) STI/HIV prevention characteristics and sexual risk behavior; (3)
attitudes toward abstinence and monogamy and sexual risk behavior; and (4)
decision-making in relationships and sexual risk behavior.
STUDY DESIGN:
Our
sample included 120 heterosexual American Indian men aged 18 to 24 living on a
reservation. Data were collected during in-depth interviews. A community-based
participatory research framework was used to ensure the relevancy and
acceptability of the study given the sensitivity of the topic.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
Results
demonstrated that attitudinal factors were associated with sexual risk
behavior, particularly inconsistent condom use. Attitudes associated with
consistent condom use suggested greater levels of positive dispositions toward
prevention and intention to use condoms. Consistent condom use was associated
with more cautious attitudes toward sex with multiple sex partners. Study
results suggested that American Indian men who reported sex with multiple
partners exhibited a set of attitudes and beliefs toward pregnancy prevention
and STI/HIV prevention that corresponded with a disposition resulting from
their behaviors, in that engaging in sexual risk behavior elevated their levels
of risk perception.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our
findings suggest that heterosexual American Indian men living in rural
environments need sexual and reproductive health programs and clinical services
that address differing attitudes toward condom use within the context of
multiple sex partners and sexual risk behavior.
2School of
Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.
3University
of Central America, El Salvador.
No comments:
Post a Comment