Original Communication
Effect of Partner Relationship on Motivation to Use Condoms among Adolescent Mothers

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0027-9684(15)31407-3Get rights and content

Purpose

Adolescent mothers have high rates of repeat pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We sought to identify factors associated with their consistent condom use.

Method

Data for 107 urban adolescent mothers enrolled in a longitudinal computer-assisted motivational interviewing (CAMI) intervention were analyzed. The intervention aimed to motivate and instill confidence in using condoms consistently. Data sources: 1) structured interviews during the third trimester of pregnancy (baseline), 2) CAMI responses at 9–12 months postpartum. Outcomes were dichotomized as: consistent condom users and inconsistent condom users.

Results

At baseline, mean age was 17 (1.1 SD) years, 96% African American, and 26% reported always using condoms. At 9–12 months postpartum, 33 (31%) used condoms consistently. Consistent condom users were less likely to report having sex with their baby’s father (61% vs. 81%; p=0.05). Adolescent mothers who used condoms consistently experienced greater self-efficacy in the prevention of STIs and recognized the importance of preventing STIs with a new boyfriend (p=0.006). Consistent condom users held the opinion that it was more important to use condoms with a new boyfriend than with their baby’s father regardless whether their main partner was the father of their baby or a new boyfriend.

Conclusions

Level of motivation, belief in the importance of condom use and self-efficacy to use condoms with a new boyfriend regardless of actual sexual partner relationship were the strongest predictors of consistent condom use among adolescent mothers. Future interventions aimed at improving condom use should focus on motivation and to different views held by teens regarding their partner-specific condom use.

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Cited by (15)

  • Perceived responsibility for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection prevention among young African American men: An exploratory focus group study

    2018, Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare
    Citation Excerpt :

    Given that the consistent and correct use of male condoms protects against both pregnancy and STIs, teenagers’ condom use behaviors remain an important area of research. Relationship type (e.g., casual “hook-up,” “friends with benefits,” boyfriend/girlfriend) has been found to be a salient determinant of condom use, with teenagers more likely to use condoms with casual partners than with committed partners [6–11]. Furthermore, low rates of uptake and continuation of effective methods of contraception (e.g., injectables, implants, and the intrauterine device [IUD]) are likely an important cause of teenage pregnancy [12].

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Financial support: This study was supported by funding from the Health Resources Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professionals Faculty Development in Primary Care Research grant #D55HP0018-04-00. Study data were collected from grants funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs grant #APHPA0002011 and Association of American Medical Colleges/Centers for Disease Control Cooperative Agreement MM-0452.

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