Condom Use of Male, Enlisted, Deployed, Naval Personnel With Multiple Partners

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.