Author(s)

Taylor Coleman¹, Kenneth Gabriel², Nicole Coleman¹, Chakema Carmack¹

¹Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences Department, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
²Department of Health Communications, Jack J. Valenti School of Communication, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are in a unique position to impact the incidence and awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevention on campus. HBCUs, particularly in the South, have been associated with disproportionately high rates of STIs. In light of sexual activity, condom use remains the most effective prevention strategy. We sought to explore the facilitators of male condom use among college-attending African American men in the South. Six focus groups (N = 36) were conducted and analyzed. Thematic analysis resulted in eight emergent themes: Condom Use Avoids Pregnancy, STIs as Undesirable, Assertive Pro-Condom Partners, Condom Use Endorsements, Condom Non-use: Feelings and Timing, Condom Availability, Condom Use versus PrEP and Curability, and HIV Promotion on Campus. Recommendations include: gaining college leadership for STI and condom use awareness, incorporating peer education in prevention efforts, and capitalizing upon the intrapersonal benefits of condom use.

Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV/AIDS, Thematic Analysis, Condom Use

Coleman, T. , Gabriel, K. , Coleman, N. and Carmack, C. (2018) “Wrap It Up!” Discourse on Condom Use among African American College-Attending Men in the Southern US. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 111-126. doi: 10.4236/jss.2018.612011.