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Biomedical subjects

W L Yarber

Publications and source records attributed to W L Yarber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Men with broken condoms: who and why?

OBJECTIVES: To identify (1) the prevalence of condom breakage, and demographic and sexuality-related differences among young men who have sex with women reporting and not reporting this event; (2) condom-specific behaviours associated with breakage. METHODS: Young men (n = 278) attending a clinic for treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) responded to an anonymous questionnaire aided by a CD recording of the questions. The samples were screened to include only men who had used a condom during penile-vaginal sex at least three times in the past 3 months. Condom-specific behaviours (including breakage) were assessed using these last three acts of condom use as the recall period. Correlates achieving bivariate significance were subjected to multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Nearly one third (31.3%) of the men reported recent breakage. The breakage rate was 15%. Three correlates significantly distinguished between men who did and did not report breakage. Men who had past STIs were more likely to report breakage (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.08), as were men who also reported condom slippage (AOR 2.72). Less self-efficacy for correct condom use was also significantly associated with breakage (AOR 1.07). Further, three condom-specific behaviours were significantly associated with breakage: allowing condoms to contact sharp objects (AOR 2.6), experiencing problems with the "fit or feel" of condoms (AOR 2.3) and not squeezing air from the receptacle tip (AOR 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Breakage may be common and may occur in a larger context of difficulties with condoms. STI clinics could potentially benefit some men by providing instructions on the correct use of condoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of condom use in men and women.

Self-reported condom use is a key variable in surveys of sexual behavior and in studies evaluating interventions to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. This article provides a review of how male condom use has been assessed in research. We critically review a number of methodological issues, including the length of the recall period, terminology, specification of partner variables, validity and reliability of condom use, and use of newer data collection methods such as daily diaries and computer-assisted and online technologies. Assessment of condom use errors and problems, and the role of women in condom use are discussed. Finally, we offer recommendations for improving assessment of condom use in future research.

Arousal↗
PubMed2004

If the condom fits, wear it: a qualitative study of young African-American men.

OBJECTIVE: To extend the current knowledge base pertaining to condom failure among young African-American men by assessing their experiences with male condom use. METHODS: Qualitative assessments were conducted with 19 African-American men (aged 18-29 years) who had just been diagnosed with an STI and reported using condoms in the previous 3 months. RESULTS: Five categories were identified from the data. These categories pertained to: (1) the "fit and feel" of condoms; (2) condom brand and size; (3) application problems; (4) availability of condoms and lubricants; and (5) commitment to condom use. Common themes included reasons why men believed condoms would break or slip off during sex. Comfort problems, including tightly fitting condoms and condoms drying out during intercourse, were mentioned frequently. Condom associated erection problems were often described. Many men also noted that condom use reduced the level of sexual satisfaction for their female partners. Men noted that finding the right kind of condom was not always easy and it became apparent during the interviews that men typically did not acquire lubrication to add to condoms. Despite their expressed problems with using condoms, men were, none the less, typically emphatic that condom use is an important part of their protective behaviour against STIs. CONCLUSION: Men were highly motivated to use condoms; however, they experienced a broad range of problems with condom use. With the exception of losing the sensation of skin to skin contact, the vast majority of these problems may be amenable to behavioural interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The association between gang involvement and sexual behaviours among detained adolescent males.

OBJECTIVE: Data were collected from 270 detained male adolescents (aged 14-18 years) to determine the association between ever having been in a gang and a range of sexual behaviours such as sexual activity, male condom use, sex with multiple partners, and drug use during sex. METHODS: Participants answered survey questions using audio computer assisted self interviewing (A-CASI) procedures, which assessed demographic, family factors, history of gang membership, and sexual behaviours. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analyses, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic status, and family factors, indicated that adolescents who reported having been in a gang, relative to their peers reporting no gang involvement, were 5.7 times more likely to have had sex, 3.2 times more likely to have got a girl pregnant, and almost four times more likely to have been "high" on alcohol or other drugs during sexual intercourse, have had sex with a partner who was "high" on alcohol or other drugs, or have had sex with multiple partners concurrently. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that having been in a gang can discriminate between levels of STI associated risk behaviours among an otherwise high risk population-detained adolescent males.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

National trends in condom use among at-risk heterosexuals in the united states.

Based on national level surveys, we examined data relevant to the United States' overall effort to prevent the spread of HIV among heterosexual adults. We examined changes in condom use among at-risk heterosexuals over the past decade. The observed increases over time in condom use across all heterosexual at-risk population segments are consistent with the observed (declines) trends in HIV and syphilis in the 1990s. These results and findings from prior studies suggest that U.S. efforts to facilitate condom use and contain HIV and related sexually transmitted disease (STD)-cofactors among adult at risk heterosexuals was succeeding over most of the 1990s. The absence of national level behavioral trend data after 1996, and the ambiguities of HIV spread suggest some caution in projecting trends into this century. National and local efforts need to be directed at sustaining behavioral change and conducting more rigorous studies on population trends in HIV/STD-related behaviors/pathogens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Perceived versus actual knowledge about correct condom use among U.S. adolescents: results from a national study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of three misconceptions about correct condom use and determine whether prevalence of these misconceptions varied by gender, sexual intercourse experience, experience using condoms, and the relationship between adolescents' actual and perceived knowledge about correct condom use. Variables that predicted misconceptions about correct condom use were also identified. METHODS: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed to determine prevalence of misconceptions among 16,677 adolescents. Misconceptions were: (a) no space at the tip of the condom, (b) Vaseline can be used with condoms, and (c) lambskin protects against the acquired immunodeficiency virus better than latex. Chi-square analyses determined differences in prevalence of misconceptions between male and female adolescents based on their sexual and condom use experience as well as their level of perceived knowledge about correct condom use. Logistic regression models identified predictors of reporting misconceptions. RESULTS: Depending on intercourse experience and experience using condoms, about one-third to one-half believed the first two misconceptions and about one-fifth believed the latter one. Perception of knowledge about correct condom use was infrequently related to actual knowledge. Misconceptions were less likely among older adolescents, those ever having intercourse, those reporting four or more lifetime intercourse partners, those who had used condoms, females, and those not reporting a religious affiliation. CONCLUSIONS: Misconceptions about correct condom use are common among adolescents. Sexually active adolescents need more complete information about correct condom use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Perceived monogamy and type of clinic as barriers to seeking care for suspected STD or HIV infection: results from a brief survey of low-income women attending Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in Missouri.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Barriers to seeking care for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have not been assessed for low-income women. We sought to determine barriers to seeking care for STDs among women receiving Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits in 21 Missouri counties. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: Provide information for promoting care-seeking behavior among low-income women suspecting STD infection. STUDY DESIGN: A survey of 2,256 women was conducted; 491 reported a history of at least one STD. These women indicated possible barriers to seeing a doctor about a suspected STD and preference for type of clinic providing STD services. RESULTS: More than one fifth (21.3%) of those reporting an STD also reported at least one barrier to seeing a doctor about suspected STD or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Among those reporting barriers, the most common barrier was "I only have sex with my steady" (36.2%) followed by being asymptomatic (33.3%), embarrassment (22.8%), and cost (25.7%). Most (63.8%) preferred seeing their own doctor, with others reporting preference for community health centers (14.8%), family planning clinics (16.8%), and STD clinics (4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Low-income women experience multiple barriers to seeking care including perceptions about a protective value of monogamy. Also, STD services in locations providing other health services for women were preferred.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Country watch: USA.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Adolescents and sexually transmitted diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a serious health problem for adolescents, occurring in an estimated one-quarter of sexually active teen-agers. Many of the health problems--including STDs--result from specific risk-taking behaviors. Determinants of STD risks among adolescents include behavioral, psychological, social, biological, institutional factors. Education is an important component in STD control in adolescents. The goal of education is to increase adolescent self-efficiency in practicing STD prevention and risk-reduction. A comprehensive approach including quality, theory-based education, accessible and effective health clinics, and improved social and economic conditions has the most promise of controlling STDs in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The relationship between the sexual attitudes of parents and their college daughters' or sons' sexual attitudes and sexual behavior.

This study determined if three selected sexual attitudes of parents were related to similar sexual attitudes of their college daughters or sons and to five sexual behaviors. Only never married, college freshmen (N = 83) with both parents participating were utilized. A self-report questionnaire was administered to students at a large midwestern university and distributed to and returned from parents by mail. The Pearson product-moment correlation and the stepwise and multiple regressions were used to test four hypotheses. Mothers' sexual attitudes had a stronger relationship than fathers' attitudes with offspring sexual attitudes and behaviors, particularly for daughters. Generally, mothers with the most positive attitudes toward sexual-self had daughters who were more responsive relative to personal sexual expression (masturbation frequency and orgasmic experience), but who were not any more involved heterosexually (frequency of coitus and number of coital partners). Fathers' sexual attitudes had little relationship to offspring sexual attitudes and behavior. None of the male students' sexual behaviors were related strongly to parent sexual attitudes. Implications for school and parent sexuality education programs are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

STD content in school health textbooks: an evaluation using the worth assessment procedure.

Classroom education is a key strategy to controlling sexually transmitted diseases in young persons. Textbooks are the major or sole source of STD information for many students. Thirteen secondary level health science textbooks and five sex education textbooks were reviewed to assess their potential contribution to STD control objectives. Worth assessment, a decision analysis tool for helping decision makers choose among complex or maltiattributed alternatives, was used to evaluate the STD content. The review indicated that sex education textbooks are more likely to contribute to STD control objectives than are health science textbooks. Health science textbooks failed to incorporate information on preventive health behaviors. Both types of textbooks present biomedical information primarily, which is generally free of significant errors. The worth assessment method proved to be a useful tool for evaluating the quality of textbook treatment in a specific content area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Instructional units of death education: the impact of amount of classroom time on changes in death attitudes.

The present study sought to provide a better understanding of the impact instructional time devoted to death education had on death attitudes. The study incorporates a three-group experimental research design with repeated measures. Three experimental groups of college students randomly were assigned to one of three short units of death education. The groups varied in terms of the amount of instructional time they were given. One group received three class sessions of death education, while the other two groups received six and nine classes, respectively. Only in the group that received nine class sessions of death education were death attitudes changed significantly. Such changes occurred on one dimension of death attitudes. Results suggest that very brief units of death education are not effective in changing attitudes. When attitude change is deemed important, the most rational length of time to devote to death education is roughly nine class sessions. Even then, attitudes related to death may be affected only partially.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed1982

Parental opposition to sex education: pretext or reality?

A major obstacle to the development of a school family life and sex education (FL/SE) programme is a presumed lack of parental and community endorsement of this instructional area. The study investigated the views of 1,100 parents concerning the amount of instructional emphasis that should be given to FL/SE at four school grades. Two major findings were (1) parental support ranged from 48% to 60% indicating that FL/SE should receive major teaching emphasis; (2) not more than 12% at any one grade indicated that FL/SE should receive no instructional emphasis. These findings appear to concur with those of similar surveys in the U.S. The author concludes that schools should determine the degree of parental support before moving ahead in this area, and proposes that they undertake research similar to the survey he carried out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Instructional emphasis in family life and sex education: viewpoints of students, parents, teachers and principals at four grade levels.

This study was conducted to assess and compare the opinions of four population groups -- students, parents, teachers and principals -- concerning the amount of teaching emphasis that should be given to family life and sex education at school grades three, six, nine and twelve. The population was derived from a large, county school corporation in north central Indiana. A large proportion of each population at each grade supported at least some instructional emphasis about the topic, with nearly a majority or more of the subjects of most of the 16 populations favoring major teaching emphasis. Some differences in endorsement among the populations and sub-populations (male vs. female students) at each grade and among the four grades were found.

Administrative Personnel↗