FACTORES QUE INFLUYEN EN EL USO DEL PRESERVATIVO EN MUJERES EN EDAD REPRODUCTIVA DE TUNJA, COLOMBIA

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed with the purpose of identifying psychological predictors of condom use behaviors in a sample of 381 women in reproductive age from Tunja, Colombia. An instrument that evaluates knowledge, motives, social situations, and biological states related to condom use behaviors in the first sexual encounter, and throughout active sexual life was administered. For data processing descriptive statistics were obtained. Additionally, Pearson’s x2 test and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Pearson’s x2 test showed differences between women who used and did not use condom in their first sexual intercourse (x2 [1] = 25.000; p = 0.000), and also showed differences between those who consistently or inconsistently used it throughout their active sexual life (x2 [3] = 21.907; p = 0.000). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that condom use behavior throughout these women’s active sexual life was predicted by the motive “Because I didn’t know how to use it” (x2 [2] = 6.786; p = 0.034). A discussion is presented about the importance of designing prevention programs for VHI infection that pay special attention to the motives underlying the use of condom, as well as the need to educate women in developing skills both for negotiation and for a consistent and effective use of condom

Keywords

• knowledge
• motives
• risk behaviors
• condom
• HIV infection