Relationship between contraceptive method choice and beliefs about HIV and pregnancy prevention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between contraceptive method choice and perceptions of HIV and pregnancy risk among women at risk of HIV infection and transmission.

STUDY DESIGN

Women who were infected with HIV or who were at high risk of infection were administered a questionnaire assessing sexual and drug-related HIV risk behaviors and beliefs, STD and pregnancy history, and intentions, beliefs and behaviors regarding pregnancy, childbearing and contraception.

RESULTS

Among women who reported using a contraceptive method every time they had intercourse, 43% used condoms only, 22% used birth control pills only, and 11% used both. Only 58% of consistent condom users believed they were very unlikely to become infected with HIV in the next year. Controlling for risk factor differences, pill-only users were less likely to believe themselves at risk of HIV infection, and more confident in their ability to prevent HIV infection, compared with condom-only users.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that women's beliefs about the effectiveness of a method for pregnancy prevention may generalize to beliefs about the efficacy of the method for disease prevention.