How Do Californians Define Safe Sex?

Joel M. Moskowitz; Assunta Ritieni; Maya Tholandi; Qiang Xia

doi:10.32398/cjhp.v4i1.738

Joel M. Moskowitz University of California Berkeley, Center for Family and Community Health
Assunta Ritieni California Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS
Maya Tholandi California Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS
Qiang Xia California Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v4i1.738

Abstract

Objectives: We examined definitions of “safe sex” among adults in California, and assessed whether definitions varied by sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behavior. Methods: We analyzed crosssectional data from the “AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors (KABB) Survey,” a statewide telephone survey of California adults conducted in 2000. Results: The four most common definitions of safe sex were condom use (68.0%), abstinence (31.1%), monogamy (28.4%), and safe partner (18.7%). Definitions were associated with sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, and number of sexual partners in the past 12 months. Conclusions: Most adults defined safe sex in terms of condom use either alone or in conjunction with other methods. Individuals’ definitions were complex and varied across sociodemographic groups which suggest the need for policies and programs which reflect this diversity.