Sexual risk taking behaviors of women at risk for HIV

The number of women infected with the HIV virus through heterosexual contact is on the rise and expected to increase steadily throughout the 1990's. In order to prevent the further spread of HIV infection and AIDS, behavior change is essential. The focus of this study is on the sexual behaviors, safe sex practices, and the role that self-efficacy and self-assertiveness play in a woman's ability to put into effect preventative behaviors. The study sample consists of 40 heterosexual, English-speaking women from the Montreal area. The results indicate that just under half of this population are using condoms as a safe sex precaution, but they are being used inconsistently. Those participants who reported sometimes using condoms were also the same participants who more frequently reported modifying other aspects of their sexual behavior in order to reduce their risk of infection, as compared to those participants who did not report using condoms. It was also found that the participants' past sexual history, knowledge about HIV transmission, and awareness of risky sexual practices do not predict more cautious sexual behavior. One major factor which did seem to influence modification of risky sexual behaviors was the participants' perception of being at risk for HIV. The majority of the participants did not have difficulty in asserting their desire for safe sex. Their methods, however, in how they would choose to practise safe sex were dependent on the seriousness of the relationship, ability to trust their partner, and their current method of practising safe sex in their own sexual lives