Stages of change and condom use among an Internet sample of gay and bisexual men

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study using the transtheoretical model was to determine the relationship between stages of change and condom use among gay and bisexual men with primary (steady) and casual (occasional) partners. A convenience sample of 241 gay and bisexual men was recruited from the Internet. The majority of men (n = 198, 82%) never used condoms during anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse with primary partners, indicating they were in the first of five stages of change (precontemplation). Thirty percent (n = 71) of men reported using condoms every time during anal intercourse with casual partners and were in the last stage of change (maintenance). Multiple regression analysis revealed that older bisexual men who informed partners of their HIV status and who were confident and perceived more advantages in using condoms were in higher stages of change. By placing participants into various stages of change, stage specific interventions can be designed.