Condom Use by Male, Enlisted, Deployed Navy Personnel with Multiple Partners

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: Condom use by male enlisted personnel deployed on an aircraft carrier in spring 2002 who reported having casual sex partners in foreign ports and (1) only a steady partner, (2) only casual sex partners, or (3) both steady and casual sex partners in the home port. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey, with analysis of the subsample reporting multiple partners (n = 378). RESULTS: Sexual behavior was less frequent and condom use was higher in foreign ports (p < 0.0001). Men involved with both steady and casual partners used condoms less consistently than did those involved with only casual partners (p < 0.05). Sexual behavior also varied with the type of partner (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Navy strategies promoting condom use in foreign ports appear effective. New strategies are needed for home ports and for men involved with both steady and casual partners.