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On the subject of safer sexual communication, Perrino, Fernández, Bowen, and Arheart (2006) studied condom use and condom use attempts among 305 low-income, African American women at high risk for HIV infection who reported having a main sex partner. The investigators found that
[w]omen who had recently attempted to convince their main partner to use condoms were almost 10 times more likely to have recently used condoms with their partner than women who had not made an attempt. Among the subsample of 116 women who had recently made a condom use attempt with their main partner, having a history of childhood [emotional, physical, or sexual] abuse and having one's main partner raise infidelity questions in response to the condom use attempt were negatively associated with recent condom use with this partner. (p. 70)
Perrino and colleagues observe that clinicians working with "women who experienced childhood abuse should address safer sex negotiations as an important treatment goal, given these women's vulnerability to HIV infection" (p. 79). Additionally, "HIV prevention interventions should target accusations of infidelity as potential outcomes of condom use attempts. Specifically, interventions that help women prepare for these responses from their main partner and develop effective ways of defusing these situations should be very helpful. Special emphasis may have to be paid to appropriately timing condom use discussions, and framing them in nonthreatening manners that stress the value of safer sex even in committed relationships" (p. 80). Finally, Perrino and colleagues observe that
HIV infection prevention programs that target women individually have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to modifying partner behavior or relationship dynamics and patterns ... The benefit of intervening at the relationship level is that both partners can become actively involved in behavior change goals. At the same time, interventions can use methods that minimize disruption within the relationship, thereby preserving its integrity. This is especially important when one targets women in established relationships. Given the tendency for women, perhaps especially minority women, to place their relationships ahead of their own personal interests ..., this type of intervention may be especially effective as well as highly sensitive and culturally appropriate. (p. 81)
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Fall 2006 Newsletter / Volume 8, Issue 1
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