An investigation of condom use by frequency of sex
- Mark Williams1,
- Michael W Ross1,
- Anne M Bowen2,
- Sandra Timpson4,
- H Virginia McCoy3,
- Katherine Perkins1,
- Lori Saunders4,
- Paul Young4
- 1School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- 2Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
- 3Department of Public Health, Florida International University, North Miami Campus, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
- 4Nova Research Company, 4600 East-West Highway, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Dr Mark Williams, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, School of Public Health, University of Texas-Houston, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2516, Houston, TX 77030, USA mwilliams{at}sph.uth.tmc.edu
- Accepted 30 August 2001
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the association between condom use and frequency of sex across sexual partner types.
Methods: Data were collected from African American drug users residing in Washington, DC. Participants were asked to provide the first name of the last three partners with whom they had had vaginal sex, to define the type of relationship, the number of times they had had vaginal sex in the last 30 days with each partner, and whether they had used a condom during their last sexual encounter with each partner. Condom use was examined by frequency of sex in the past 30 days controlling for partner type.
Results: Frequency of sexual encounters varied by partner type. The largest number of sexual encounters was with casual partners, followed by commercial and primary partners, respectively. Within partner types, participants had sex most frequently with primary partners. Condom use was lowest within primary partner relationships. Regardless of partner type, condom use varied consistently depending on the frequency of sex with the same partner.
Conclusions: Condom use is related to the frequency of sex between partners when partner type is controlled. The association between frequency of sex and condom use is independent of partner type, suggesting that partner type may become less influential in determining condom use as the frequency of sex increases. This finding suggests that contextual factors determining condom use go beyond partner type designations and include other relationship variables.
