Does grandma need condoms? Condom use among women in a family practice setting
D. D. Murphree and M. J. DeHaven
Department of Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between age and condom use among
women who are typically seen in the primary care setting. DESIGN: Survey of
a population using a self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: Four
community-based family practice clinics located in a low-income, racially
mixed geographical area. PATIENTS: All consenting patients (N = 995) during
their visits for routine Papanicolaou tests. The mean age of patients was
35 years, with a range of 75 years (12 to 87 years). Respondents were
predominantly black (63.2%), 39.2% were single, and over 65% had incomes no
greater than $15,000/y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome measure of condom
use is reported. Data analysis of patients' sexual behavior revealed that
older women might be at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The
hypothesis that condom use is related to age emerged during data
collection. RESULTS: Condom use is related to being younger (< 31
years), having had an STD, having a sexual partner in whom an STD was
diagnosed, having a lower income, or being single or black. In multivariate
models, marital status (single), age (< 31 years), and having a partner
with an STD remain significant. Among unmarried women, the effects of age,
race, and a partner with STD remain, and being a nonsmoker is also
significant. In the multivariate analysis for unmarried women, only age
(< 31 years) is significantly related to condom use. An independent
random sample of charts revealed that almost 45% of the patients aged 45
years or younger received condom counseling, whereas condoms were discussed
with none of those older than 45 years. CONCLUSIONS: Because older patients
(those beyond child-bearing years) are less likely to use condoms and
evidently receive little education about condom use, older patients must be
educated about the need for condoms.
