Title.  Determinants of perceived barriers to condom use among HIV‐infected middle‐aged and older African‐American men Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to describe which determinants best predict perceived barriers to condom use during sexual encounters among human immunodeficiency virus human immunodeficiency virus‐infected African‐American men, middle‐aged and older, living in the United States of America.Background.  While the global epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection is a well‐documented phenomenon with national and international implications, prevalence statistics indicate that middle‐aged and older African‐American (non‐Hispanic) men have not benefited from the prevention efforts implemented during the past two decades.Method.  A cross‐sectional design using a survey and convenience sampling was adopted between September 2003 and July 2004 to recruit n = 130 middle‐aged human immunodeficiency virus‐infected African‐American men from infectious disease clinics from the Mid‐Atlantic region in the United States of America. The survey covered demographics, perceived health beliefs, spiritual well‐being and symptoms related to human immunodeficiency virus.Findings.  Stepwise multiple regression showed having fewer human immunodeficiency virus‐related symptoms associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (P = 0·004) and being single (P = 0·05) were perceived as barriers to condom use during sexual encounters (R² = 0·029, P = 0·046).Conclusion.  Tailored interventions are needed for African‐American men, middle‐aged and older, infected with human immunodeficiency virus nationally and worldwide that are designed to decrease perceived barriers in order to increase condom use.