Relational, Pleasure, and Fear-Associated Aspects of Condom Use for Disease Prevention: A Qualitative Study of High-Risk African American Men

Abstract

This study explores beliefs held by young African American men newly diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), regarding condom use. Recruited from a publicly funded STI clinic, participants were African American men (18–29 years of age) who reported using a condom in the past 3 months for penile–vaginal intercourse. Through face-to-face qualitative interviews, 20 men shared their perceptions of condom use with female partners. Findings suggest that condom use among high-risk African American men may best be understood as part of the complex relational dynamics associated with having multiple partnerships. Given the high seroprevalence of STIs in their communities and sexual networks, men also describe the tensions related to sexual pleasure and the fear associated with non-condom use.

Keywords:

• African American Men
• Condoms
• HIV
• Sexual Behavior
• STI

Acknowledgments

Support for this project was provided by Grant R21 MH066682-01A1 from the National Institute of Mental Health to JaNelle Ricks. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the study participants, the Clinic Director (Deborah Snow), and the entire staff of the clinic.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angela F. Cooke-Jackson

Angela F. Cooke-Jackson (MPH, PhD, University of Kentucky 2006) is an assistant professor in Communication Studies, Emerson College, 120 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116. E-mail: [email protected].

Mark P. Orbe

Mark P. Orbe (PhD, Ohio University, 1993) is a professor of Communication & Diversity, Western Michigan University, 316 Sprau Tower, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. E-mail: [email protected].

JaNelle Ricks

JaNelle Ricks (DrPH, University of Kentucky, 2013) is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322. E-mail: [email protected].

Richard A. Crosby

Richard A. Crosby (PhD, Indiana University, 1998) is a Development Dimensions International endowed professor and chair in the Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 111 Washington Ave., Lexington, KY 40506. E-mail: [email protected]