Correlates of Condom Use and Attitudes to Condoms and AIds in a Group of Darwin Women

This study investigated the use of condoms, attitudes to condoms and correlates of these in women in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. A survey using a Condom Attitudes Scale was administered to a convenience sample of 160 women. With regular partners, these women had a low level of use of condoms, with a somewhat higher level of use with casual partners. Their perceived risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and other sexually transmitted diseases was not strong. These women's attitude towards the condom was reasonably positive. The major factor that correlated with attitudes to condoms was the type of relationship with a partner. This paper demonstrates the need for health professionals to continue to promote condom use among women.