TV ads describe how a partner can avoid transmitting herpes to his or her partner. What the ads don’t discuss is how to avoid transmitting other sexually-transmitted diseases between partners. A study by Harvey and coworkers examined an intervention for heterosexual couples to prevent human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections. It also evaluated the effect of the intervention, based on current models of health behavior change, on intermediate outcomes (individual and relationship factors) and consistency of condom use. Eligible couples were administered a baseline interview and randomized to either a three-session theory-based intervention or a one-session standard of care comparison condition. Men and women completed three-month interviews; only women completed six-month interviews. No significant effect of the two interventions on condom use was found among couples at three months (n = 212) or among women (n = 178) at six months. However, condom use increased significantly between baseline and three months and baseline and six months for participants in both treatment conditions. Intervention effects on condom use self-efficacy were found at three months and six months and on health-protective communication at three months.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL: The findings provide valuable information for the design of future studies to help disentangle the effects of intervening with couples. The weakness of the study is that no long-term data were obtained.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL: The use of condoms or other devices to protect you and your partner is strictly a decision made between the two of you. Whatever method you use, however, is based on the self-management skills you each have developed and practiced. Consistent performance of these self-management skills is a prudent strategy for both you and your partner.

SM Harvey et al. Effects of a Health Behavior Change Model-Based HIV/STI Prevention Intervention on Condom Use Among Heterosexual Couples: A Randomized Trial. Health Education & Behavior, September 10, 2008.