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Condom Use and Correlates of African American Adolescent Females’ Infrequent Communication with Sex Partners about Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgiarcrosby{at}sph.emory.edu

Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Pediatrics and Department of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Center for AIDS Research

Gina M. Wingood, ScD, MPH

Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia; Emory Center for AIDS Research

Brenda K. Cobb, PhD, RN

Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Kathy Harrington, MPH

Susan L. Davies, PhD, MPH

School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama, Birmingham

Edward W. Hook, III, MD

School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama, Birmingham

M. Kim Oh, MD

School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham

This study of 522 African American female adolescents, ages 14 to 18, investigated associations between condom use and infrequently communicating with sex partners about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy prevention. Correlates of infrequent communication were identified. Sexually active adolescents were recruited from schools and adolescent medicine clinics in low-income neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama. Adolescents completed a self-administered survey and face-to-face interview. Communication frequency was assessed using a five-item scale. Infrequent communication was significantly associated with lower odds of condom use. Multivariate correlates of infrequent communication were less frequent communication with parents about STD/pregnancy prevention, recent sex with a nonsteady partner, low perceived ability to negotiate condom use and fear of this negotiation, and low motivation to use condoms. Given the importance of partner communication in promoting safer sex behaviors, STD and pregnancy prevention programs may benefit adolescents by addressing the identified psychosocial correlates of infrequent communication with their partners.

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