Correlates of condom use and condom-use motivation among young South Africans

Examining differentials in HIV transmission risk behaviour and its associated factors among men in Southern African countries

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly Southern and East Africa, has the highest AIDS deaths and HIV-infected people in the world. Even though considerable effort has been made over the years to study HIV transmission risk behaviours of different population groups in SSA, there is little evidence of studies that have looked at pooled effects of associated HIV risk factors among men, particularly in Southern Africa. Thus, this study sought to fill this gap in knowledge by investigating the variations in HIV risk behaviours among men in the region. The study analysed cross-sectional data based on the most recent country Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) for six countries, namely Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The study employed multivariate logistic regression models on a pooled dataset and individual country data to examine the relative risk of education and other factors on HIV risk behaviour indicators. It considered: (i) condom use during high risk-sex, (ii) multiple sexual partnerships, and (iii) HIV testing among men aged 15-59 years. Findings show that the proportion of men who engaged in HIV transmission risk behaviour was high in Southern Africa. Two-thirds of men reported non-use of a condom during last sex with most recent partners while 22% engaged in multiple sexual partnerships. The percentage of men who used condoms during sex with most recent partners ranged from 18% in Mozambique to 58% in Namibia. Age, residence, marital status and household wealth status were associated with HIV risk factors in the region. The study has established country variations in terms of how individual factors influence HIV transmission risk behaviour among men. Results show that the level of education was associated with increased use of condoms, only in Zambia and Mozambique. Delay in starting a sexual debut was associated with reduced odds of having multiple sexual partnerships in the region. Suggesting the need to strengthen comprehensive sexuality education among young men in school, to promote social behaviour change during adolescence age. The study presents important results to inform direct health policy, programme and government action to address HIV prevalence in the Southern region of Africa.

Regulatory Focus and Sexual Health: Motives for Security and Pleasure in Sexuality are Associated with Distinct Protective Behaviors

We examined if motives for security (i.e., prevention focus) or pleasure (i.e., promotion focus) were uniquely associated with intentions to get tested for STIs and behavioral control over condom use, over and above variables already identified in theoretical models. We conducted an online survey with Portuguese adults (N = 836; M_age = 22.27, SD = 5.14). Overall, 99.4% of the participants knew at least one of eight STIs, but only 25.2% got tested in the last six months. Participants more focused on prevention had condomless sex less frequently, whereas participants more focused on promotion knew more STIs and got tested for more STIs. Furthermore, participants had stronger intentions to get tested for STIs if they got tested for more STIs in the past, were more concerned about STIs, perceived greater susceptibility to STI acquisition, and were more focused on promotion (but not prevention). Participants had greater behavioral control over condom use if they had condomless sex less often and were more focused on prevention (but not promotion). These findings suggest that promotion-focused people are more likely to consider the consequences of having condomless sex. In contrast, prevention-focused people are more likely to take control of their sexual health.

Arresting fake news sharing on social media: a theory of planned behavior approach

Purpose

This study aims to examine the collective impact of awareness and knowledge about fake news, attitudes toward news verification, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, fear of missing out (FoMO) and sadism on social media users’ intention to verify news before sharing on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study’s conceptual framework is developed by a comprehensive literature review on social networking and the theory of planned behavior. The data for samples were collected from 400 respondents in India to test the conceptual framework using the partial least square–structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

The results show that awareness and knowledge, perceived behavioral control, attitudes toward news verification and FoMO are significant predictors of intention to verify news before sharing.

Research limitations/implications

The present study concludes implications for managers of social media companies and policy actors that want to take steps toward arresting the spread of fake news via social media.

Originality/value

Academic investigation on fake news sharing on social media has recently gained traction. The current work is unique because it uses the theory of planned behavior as a basis for predicting social media user’s intention to verify news before sharing on social media.

The Relationship Between Body Image Perceptions and Condom Use Outcomes in a Sample of South African Emerging Adults

HIV continues to be a health priority in South Africa. Consistent condom use helps prevent HIV, yet less than half of South African emerging adults use condoms consistently. Cultural beliefs about illnesses (e.g., being thin is perceived to be a sign of HIV infection) suggest that body image perceptions may play a role in emerging adults' condom use outcomes. We explored the relationships between body image perceptions (i.e., body dissatisfaction, body consciousness) and condom use outcomes (e.g., attitudes, negotiation efficacy, past use) in a sample of South African emerging adults. Participants (n = 379) recruited from university residences completed an anonymous survey. Participants' mean age was 21.79 years, 54.6% were female, 96.1% identified as Black African, and 73.5% reported primarily speaking IsiZulu. For women, the relationship between body dissatisfaction and condom negotiation efficacy was mediated by body consciousness and condom use attitudes after controlling for BMI, relationship status, and mental health symptoms. Further, the relationship between body dissatisfaction and past condom use was mediated by body consciousness. These results were not significant for men. Findings from this study suggest that integrating messages about body image perceptions into HIV prevention efforts targeting South African emerging adult women may be warranted.

Predictors of Condomless Sex and Sexual Health Behaviors in a Sample of Portuguese Single Adults

INTRODUCTION

Several theoretical models and intervention programs overlook the importance of individual motivations for the decision to have condomless sex. For instance, people focused on promotion (ie, eager to pursue pleasure) report less intentions to use condoms, because they perceive a lower risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections.

AIM

We aimed at understanding to what extent individual motivations are predictive of condomless sex behavior among single individuals.

METHODS

A sample of 415 Portuguese individuals (254 women) with ages ranging from 18-46 years (M = 23.30; SD = 5.28) were recruited to a cross-sectional study. All participants were neither dating nor in a romantic relationship at the time of the study. The link to an anonymous web survey was shared in social networking platforms.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The survey included self-reported demographic variables (eg, age and sex), recent condomless sex behavior, and previously validated measures assessing regulatory focus in sexuality, ability in sexual restraint, perceived control over condom use, perceived safety with sex partners, and salience of the condom use norm.

RESULTS

More than two-thirds of the sample had recently engaged in condomless sex. A logistic regression showed that condomless sex was more likely for participants predominantly focused on promotion in sexuality. It was also more likely among less educated participants, those with a lower ability to restrain their sexual behavior, those who perceive to have less control over condom use, those for whom the condom use norm was less salient, and those who perceived to be safer with their sex partners. No other results were significant.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our results can be informative to sexual health care professionals when planning strategies to increase condom use awareness, by considering the role of specific individual motivations.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the first study showing that individual motivations uniquely contribute to the decision to have condomless sex. This study has 2 main limitations that constraint the generalizability of the findings: (a) cross-sectional data prevents us from establishing causality, and (b) individual data does not account for dyadic processes in sexuality (eg, condom use negotiation).

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that condomless sex results from an individual focus on seeking pleasure, a lack of control in sexual behavior, and a perception of sex partners as more trustworthy. Overall, these findings are likely to help researchers and health care professionals improving theoretical models predicting condom use and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Rodrigues DL, Lopes D, Pereira M, et al. Predictors of Condomless Sex and Sexual Health Behaviors in a Sample of Portuguese Single Adults. J Sex Med 2020;17:26-36.