Effect of Relationship Factors on Safer Sex Decisions in Older Inner-City Women

Abstract

Of 155 participants in a current relationship, 81% were sexually active; however, only 13% of these women used condoms frequently. No significant differences were found between participants who did and did not practice safer sex with respect to their age, race, employment, marital status, knowledge of condom efficacy, or perceived HIV risk. Trust in partner was independently associated with lower odds of safer sex (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.08-1.06). Personally obtaining condoms (OR 9.2, 95% CI 1.9-44.2) and dependence on partner for condoms (OR 12.3, 95% CI 3.0-50.3) were independently associated with higher odds of safer sex. CONCLUSIONS. Few older women in high HIV incidence areas practice safer sex. Relationship factors impact the risk of acquiring HIV through safer sex decisions. HIV prevention messages geared to older women should incorporate references to the role these factors can play in reducing their HIV risk.

Psychosocial Predictors of Self-Esteem in a Multiethnic Sample of Women Over 50 at Risk for HIV

“…In spite of this, many women over 50 do not believe they are at risk for HIV infection (Jacobs & Kane, 2009, 2010Hillman, 2007) or may not know how to prevent HIV. Very few sexually active older women use condoms with regularity (Emlet & Farkas, 2001;Paranjape et al, 2006;Zablotsky & Kennedy, 2003). For postmenopausal women, freedom from worry about unintended pregnancy may play a role in their choice to not use condoms.…”

Factors Associated with Lack of Interest in HIV Testing in Older At-Risk Women

“…We modified a question assessing women's perceived risk of HIV used by Hobfall et al 43,46 The original question asked if women were concerned about AIDS. We modified the item so it was clear that we were asking women to assess their HIV risk, "I feel I am personally at risk for HIV or AIDS."…”

Women’s decision-making about self-protection during sexual activity in the deep south of the USA: a grounded theory study

“…Many of the women who were HIV-infected described a willingness to make concessions in order to preserve their relationship with a male partner. The concept of trust, supported in prior studies (Deardorff et al 2013; Mallory 2008; Paranjape et al 2006; Smith 2015) emerged as an important factor in women’s decisions to forgo the use of condoms when engaging in sexual behaviours. Trust was described as assuming their partner would not expose them to an STI, trusting their partner’s assurance that he was not infected and forgoing condom use as a declaration of her trust within their relationship.…”

“…Research related to HIV acquisition among women, particularly minority women living in Southern states, has primarily focused on gaining an understanding of the individual and sociocultural factors that influence the practice of risky sexual behaviours (Mallory 2008; Mullinax et al 2016; Nunn et al 2012; Paranjape et al 2006; Smith 2015; Teitelman et al 2015; Villar-Loubet et al 2016). Trust, the imbalance of power and an unequal gender ratio have been found to be important factors that influenced women’s use of condoms when engaging in risky sexual activity, especially in the case of long-term relationships.…”