| Learning Objective #1: Verbalize at least one reason why it is important to study the sexual behavior of enlisted personnel under conditions of deployment | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify at least one implication for nursing practice related to study findings |
Objective: To investigate condom use with casual partners in a foreign city by young men who (1) have a single, steady partner back home, (2) young men who engage in casual sex back home, and (3) young men who both have a steady partner and engage in casual sex back home.
Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional.
Population & Setting: Enlisted male, Navy personnel, E4 paygrade and below, deployed on an aircraft carrier in 2002 (mean age = 22 years). Response rate was about 65% (n = 1316). Subsample reporting multiple partners was 337.
Concepts: The theoretical framework integrates concepts from Theory of Reasoned Action (beliefs, attitude, norms) and Social Cognitive Theory (self-efficacy).
Methods: The survey was anonymous, took approximately 15 minutes to complete, and was distributed in a sealable manila envelope.
Findings: Demographic results across the groups were fairly similar. However, men with only a steady partner back home were most likely to have been married and least likely to have used a condom at last intercourse (p < .01). Men with both steady and casual partners back home were most likely to have more education (p < .05), but this was unrelated to condom use (p = 1.00). Alcohol use, age, length of time in Navy, and peer norms had no effect on condom use (p > .10). However, the casual partner's desire to use a condom and whether or not condoms were carried when off duty did (p < .01).
Conclusion: These findings argue for providing young enlisted personnel with condoms in foreign ports and encouraging sex workers to insist on condom use.
Implications: Nurses working with enlisted men who are deployed, should encourage them to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases prior to returning home. Additional research is needed to determine how to increase condom use in this population.
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