Urban Women's Negotiation Strategies for Safer Sex with Their Male Partners

Examination of strategies women believe they would use in a safer sex negotiation with a male partner including initiating negotiations, resolving conflict, and maintaining the intention to practice safer sex highlights the importance of understanding women's patterns of negotiation.

Abstract

Heterosexual transmission of HIV is growing at an increasing rate. One primary prevention strategy is to consistently use condoms. With the exception of female condoms, women do not "wear" condoms and therefore must negotiate condom use with their male partners. This present study examines the strategies women believe they would use in a safer sex negotiation with a male partner including (1) initiating negotiations, (2) resolving conflict, and (3) maintaining the intention to practice safer sex. The findings highlight the importance of understanding women's patterns of negotiation as well as their repertoire of negotiation skills prior to their exposure to behavioral interventions and prevention programs.