Acceptability of female condom use among women exchanging street sex in new York City
Witte, S.S.; el-Bassel, N.; Wada, T.; Gray, O.; Wallace, J.
International Journal of Std and Aids 10(3): 162-168
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0956-4624 PMID: 10340196 DOI: 10.1258/0956462991913826Document Number: 522786
This study describes the knowledge and experience of the female condom among 101 women exchanging sex for money and drugs on the streets of New York City, and examines the acceptability of female condom use as an alternative barrier method for HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention among this population. Samples included were African American, never married, and with an average age of 35.9 years. The result shows that women who were single and never married were more likely to use the female condom than those who were married, separated, divorced, or widowed. Moreover, those who lived with someone having drug or alcohol problems were more likely to use female condoms than their counterparts than those who were homeless, women with a place to live were more likely to use female condoms. These suggest that the female condom may be feasible alternative barrier method for STD and HIV prevention among women engaging in commercial sex work. Despite decreased acceptability post-use, most sex workers indicated an intention for future female condom use.