Publication Cover
AIDS Care
Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 15, 2003 - Issue 3
136
Views
26
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Power, communication and condom use: patterns of HIV-relevant sexual risk management in heterosexual relationships

Pages 389-401 | Received 24 Jun 2004, Published online: 22 Sep 2010
 

Abstract

Combining relationship-based theories with quantitative methods is a relatively new approach in HIV prevention research. In this paper--focusing on relationship power, communication on HIV protection measures and condom use--clusters are identified which contribute to the understanding of HIV-relevant sexual risk management in heterosexual contacts. Data on 508 heterosexual contacts were collected in the German-speaking part of Switzerland using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Condom use is practised regularly among young and middle-aged couples but not among older couples. Cluster analyses show that in sexual contacts with equal or female power, communication appears to be decisive as to whether a condom is used. Male relationship power, however, is accompanied by relatively frequent condom use, regardless of whether the couple communicated about HIV protection measures. Implications for HIV prevention research and strategies, with an emphasis on aspects of relationship, gender and age, are suggested.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.