Abstract
We described frequencies of condom-related problems in a racially diverse sample of young men who have sex with men (YMSM), and tested these condom-related problems as an explanation for racial disparities in HIV rates among YMSM. Participants were 119 YMSM from a longitudinal study of sexual minority health behaviors. Almost all participants (95.4%) experienced at least one condom error. On average, African American and non-African American YMSM experienced the same number of recent condom-related problems. Therefore, differences in condom-related problems are unlikely to explain racial disparities in HIV rates among YMSM. When serving YMSM, providers should both promote condom use and explain steps to correct condom use.
Highlights
HIV prevalence remains disproportionately high among men who have sex with men (MSM) [1]
One potential and unexplored explanation for this phenomenon is that African American Young MSM (YMSM) may engage in safe sexual practices like condom use at similar levels as other YMSM, but that African American YMSM experience more condom errors and related problems than their counterparts
Research indicates that among nonYMSM populations, making condom errors can lead to condom failures, i.e., the condom breaking during sex or slipping off during or after sex [5]
Summary
HIV prevalence remains disproportionately high among men who have sex with men (MSM) [1]. The relationship between HIV risk and condom errors, failures, and erection-problems has not been explored in a racially diverse sample of YMSM. We aim to report the frequency of condom errors, and to characterize the relationship between condom errors and failures, in a racially diverse sample of YMSM.
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