Document 0635
 DOCN  M95A0635
 TI    Condom availability and accessibility in Rochester, NY. American
       Pediatric Society 104th annual meeting and Society for Pediatric
       Research 63rd annual meeting; 1994 May 2-5; Seattle.
 DT    9510
 AU    Klein I; Rossbach C; Siegel D; Nijher H; Geist M; Cohn SE; Weitzman M;
       Division of Adolescent Medicine, General Pediatrics and; Infectious
       Disease, Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine, NY,; USA.
 SO    Pediatr AIDS HIV Infect. 1994 Oct;5(5):316 (unnumbered abstract). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95330409
 AB    OBJECTIVE: Condom use is affected by knowledge, attitude, and perceived
       risks and benefits. Access to condoms also may influence condom related
       behaviors, thus we studied the availability and accessibility of condoms
       and other HIV prevention material in retail stores in areas with high
       and low sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates. DESIGN: We identified
       122 and visited 118 (97%) points-of-sale for condoms, and surveyed store
       clerks in 5 comparable geographic areas in Rochester, NY. Area STD rates
       ranged from 887 to 12,427/100,000 14-19 year old adolescents/year. We
       measured condom availability (number of stores; store hours; single
       condom sale) and accessibility (visibility in store; price) of condoms
       and other HIV prevention material. In addition, 132 14-19 year olds were
       asked about condom acquisition during an anonymous random digit dialed
       telephone survey. RESULTS: Condoms were available at 99 (84%) of stores.
       Areas with higher STD rates had more stores, more grocery stores, and
       more stores selling condoms (78% vs. 58%; p = 0.06) than areas with
       lower STD rates. Drug stores most often had visible condom displays
       (90%), fewer evening hours and higher prices than other stores. Small
       grocery stores more often had condoms behind the counter (78%), or out
       of sight (19%), than in the aisles (4%), and were also more likely to
       sell single condoms than other stores (63% vs. 10%; p = 0.005). Mean
       condom price was lowest in areas with higher STD rates ($.72 vs. $.88; p
       = 0.01) and was also lower in grocery stores ($.75 vs. $.99) than in
       drug stores. No stores sold dental dams; one store had HIV prevention
       information available. Among adolescents surveyed, half (48%) reported
       having used condoms. Of these, 54% bought condoms, 33% got free condoms,
       and 30% got them from friends. Despite fewer stores, higher prices and
       shorter hours, more teens bought condoms in drug stores (63%) than
       grocery stores (26%), or other sites (12%). CONCLUSION: Condom
       visibility, especially in drug stores, may be more important than
       availability or price to adolescents. Although most adolescent condom
       users purchase them, stores do not provide HIV prevention materials--a
       missed opportunity for HIV education. More visibility in small grocery
       stores may increase condom access by teens in high STD areas.
 DE    Adolescence  Commerce  *Condoms/SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION  Human  MEETING
       ABSTRACT  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).