Condom Use in a Group of Aboriginal Women

This exploratory study investigated the attitudes of Aboriginal women in Darwin to the use of condoms to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. An Aboriginal research assistant interviewed twelve women regarding their usage of and attitudes to the male condom and their attitude to the possibility of using a female condom. These women, like their ethnic minority counterparts in Africa and North America, had a fair level of knowledge about HIV, a low level of perceived risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, infrequent usage of male condoms with their partner, and negative attitudes to the male condom. Their attitude to the female condom was more positive. Educational programs and further research into the attitudes of women in remote communities are recommended.