Predicting Condom Use among Undergraduate Students Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, Coquimbo, Chile, 2016

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale in Chilean College Students

Background and Purpose: Limited culturally relevant condom self-efficacy measures have been adapted for use with Chilean college students. This study aims to culturally adapt and measure the psychometric properties of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) by use in college students in Chile. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in six stages: (a) authorization from original authors, (b) translation, (c) back translation, (d) analysis of equivalences, (e) content analysis, and (f) exploratory factor analysis and reliability assessment. Results: Of the 460 college students who completed the Chilean CUSES (Ch-CUSES), 73.9% were women and 99% were single with a mean age of 20.5. Total scale Cronbach's alpha was 0.845, and factor analysis demonstrated six dimensions with 59.1% of the total variance. The factor loading scores of 21 items ranged between 0.515 and 0.921. Conclusions: Ch-CUSES shows good psychometric properties for assessing self-efficacy for condom use in Chilean college students.

Condom-Related Stigma Scale among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: Development and Psychometric Tests

Condom-related stigma is a frequently mentioned barrier to consistent condom use among men who have sex with men (MSM). Based on the concept and operational definition of condom-related stigma recently defined by our team, we developed the 20-item condom-related stigma scale (CRSS) and examined its psychometric properties among 433 MSM in China, following DeVellis's scale development guidelines. The content validity, convergent validity, empirical validity, factorial validity, scale score reliability, split-half reliability, and test-retest reliability for the CRSS were all assessed. The scale consists of four domains: perceived distrust, perceived potential HIV/STI risk, perceived embarrassment, and perceived violation of the traditional understanding of sexual intercourse. The CRSS has good validity (the scale-level content validity index was 0.99; the empirical validity was greater than 0.70) and high reliability (the Cronbach's alpha coefficient overall was 0.926; the split-half reliability overall was 0.795; the test-retest reliability overall was 0.950). This scale is recommended for assessing the level of condom-related stigma among Chinese MSM, which can serve as an evaluating indicator for safer-sex interventions to prevent HIV infection among the MSM population in a Chinese cultural context.

Suicide knowledge and intention to intervene: college students

Objective: The revised Willingness to Intervene against Suicide questionnaire and the Expanded Revised Facts on Suicide Quiz were employed to examine the relationship between college students' knowledge about suicide and intention to intervene. Participants: College students (n = 515) participated, a majority being women and Caucasian. Methods: Participants completed an online survey. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: College students have poor knowledge of suicide facts; however, this low level of accurate knowledge was not associated with intention to intervene with a suicidal person. Attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, sex, and no previous suicide attempt were all significant predictors of intention to intervene. Conclusions: These results challenge the notion that one must be well-informed in order to intend to take action.

Why do men who have sex with men practice condomless sex? A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Background

Despite a large amount of behavioral interventions to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related high-risk sexual behaviors, consistent condom use remains suboptimal among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, current databases are lack of synthesized evidence to explain why MSM practiced condomless sex.

Objective

Our study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-synthesis of 39 eligible qualitative studies to explore the barriers to condom use among MSM.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies (1994–2021). On March 4, 2021, a comprehensive search was conducted in 14 electronic databases. The study was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s recommendations.

Results

Thematic analysis produced six synthesized themes, which were classified into three levels according to the Social-ecology Model. Individual level barriers to condom use included physical discomfort, lack of HIV/STI-related knowledge and substance use; interpersonal-level barrier was mainly the condom stigma, namely regarding using condom as symbols of distrust or HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention, or as violating traditional cognition of sex, or as an embarrassing topic; environmental/structural-level barriers included situational unavailability, unaffordability of condoms and power imbalance in the sexual relationship.

Conclusion

This meta-synthesis offered in-depth understanding of condom use barriers for MSM and could guide the development of multifactorial interventions according to the identified barriers, especially targeting to reduce condom stigma, which has not been focused and intervened previously.

Psychological Factors and Sexual Risk Behaviors: A Multidimensional Model Based on the Chilean Population

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health problem, with sexual risk behaviors (SRB) being the main routes of spreading the virus. Evidence indicates that different psychological factors influence SRB (e.g., attitude towards condoms, sexual self-concept, sexual sensation seeking, knowledge of sexual risk behaviors, risk perception). This study proposes an explanatory model of sexual risk behaviors in young people and adults. The sample consisted of 992 young people and adults aged between 18 and 35 years. The model presented good levels of fit (X2 = 3311.433, df = 1471, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.959, RMSEA = 0.036), explaining 56% of the variance of sexual activity with multiple partners, 77% of the inadequate use of protective barriers, and 58.8% of sexual activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs from a set of psychological factors in self-report measures. The details of the results offer novel contextual evidence for the prioritization of prevention-oriented psychosocial interventions.

Factors Affecting Condom-Use Behaviors Among Female Emerging Adults in South Korea

Purpose

To date, no studies have examined the association between gender-driven power dynamics and the decision-making process for condom use in South Korea. This study aimed to identify predictors of condom-use behaviors among female emerging adults in South Korea.

Participants and Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design and recruitment was conducted using social network services. The participants comprised 169 female college students aged 18‒25 years who were actively engaging in sexual intercourse.

Results

The results showed that attitudes toward condom use was a stronger predictor of condom-use behaviors than sexual double standards. A significant implication of this study is the need for novel approaches to address condom use in female emerging adults. Potential approaches should consider gender dynamics and have cultural and social relevance for South Korean society.

Conclusion

The current findings offer insight into developing future interventions tailored to the population to promote condom use, thereby preventing STDs/HIV, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and other negative consequences in female emerging adults in South Korea.

Condom stigma among men who have sex with men population: Concept synthesis

OBJECTIVES

The epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) is severe in China. And MSM has now become a key population for the infection and transmission of AIDS. At present, the bottleneck of AIDS prevention and control among MSM population is low rate of continuous condom use and high incidence of unsafe sexual behavior. Inductive summarization of the literature revealed that the most critical reason for low rate of continuous condom use among the MSM population was condom-related stigma. Although many studies mentioned condom-related stigma among MSM populations, there has been no any definition of MSM-related condom stigma and no measurement for it. Therefore, the paper aims to explore barriers to condom use among MSM, then construct the conceptual and operational definition of "MSM-related condom stigma" through Meta synthesis and concept synthesis, and provide a new perspective for AIDS prevention and control among MSM.

METHODS

Based on evidence-based method, "PICoS" framework and Meta-synthesis was used to include the literatures. Then, we used synthesized qualitative evidence from included studies to construct the concept and operational definition of MSM-related condom stigma by the means of thematic analysis and concept synthesis.

RESULTS

According to the results of the concept synthesis, MSM-related condom stigma refers to any taboos or misbeliefs about condom use or feeling ashamed or embarrassed to talk about using condoms which perceived by individuals at the individual, interpersonal, and social levels.It was demonstrated through 4 sub-themes at operational level: a symbol of distrust, a symbol of HIV/sexual transmitted infections (STIs) prevention, a symbol of an embarrassing topic, and a symbol of violating the traditional cognition of sexual intercourse. According to the Social-ecological Model (SEM), a symbol of distrust refers to that the MSM population believes that not using condoms represents mutual trust between sexual partners, while using condoms is difficult to express intimacy, trust and loyalty between sexual partners. A symbol of HIV/STIs prevention at the interpersonal level refers to that the MSM population believes that condom use is a "symbol" for the prevention or infection of AIDS; on the one hand, if someone proposes to use condoms, he may be considered infected with HIV or have unsafe sex experiences, thus, making it difficult to propose condom use; on the other hand, if they believe that sexual partners are "AIDS free" (often a wrong perception, such as sexual partners may have the risk of AIDS infection although they do not have AIDS), it is considered that condom use is completely unnecessary. The environmental level includes a symbol of an embarrassing topic and a symbol of violating the traditional cognition of sexual intercourse. A symbol of an embarrassing topic refers to the MSM population feels shame about topics related to sexual behavior and is embarrassed to carry/buy/propose condom use or be ashamed to engage in conversations about whether to use condoms during sexual behavior. And a symbol of violating the traditional cognition of sexual intercourse: The MSM population have limitations in their perception of "sex" or "sexual behavior" and believe that real sex (behavior) is unobstructed contact between the bodies and exchange between all body fluids.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept of MSM-related condom stigma is proposed for the first time, and its operational definition is given. The concept includes 3 levels and 4 dimensions. It is helpful to understand MSM people's attitude and cognition towards condoms, and adds indicators with cultural sensitivity and behavioral sensitivity to the behavioral intervention for AIDS in the future.

Descriptive norms about condom use predict odds of using a condom during last sexual experience in a large, national survey of adolescents from Australia

BACKGROUND

Reducing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents is an important public health goal in Australia and worldwide. This study estimated the association between condom use during last heterosexual sexual experience with two descriptive norms among a large, national sample of secondary school students from Australia.

METHODS

A large, national online survey of 14- to 18-year-olds in Australia was conducted in 2018; a sub-analysis of sexually active participants (n=2989) used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the relationships between condom use during last sexual experience and condom use norms. The analysis controlled for the effects of age, sex, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, remoteness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases.

RESULTS

Overall, 1673 (56.0% [95% confidence interval: 54.2%, 57.8%]) sexually active respondents reported using condoms during their last sexual experience. Perceiving that all same-age peers used condoms conferred higher odds of using condoms during their last heterosexual sexual experience (adjusted odds ratio: 3.06 [95% CI: 1.6, 6.0]). Perceptions about whether the suggestion to initiate condom use came from boys, girls, or both boys and girls was not associated with condom use. Differences in condom use related to socio-demographic characteristics are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

As part of a holistic approach to sexuality education, health educators and service providers may emphasise that young people frequently choose to use condoms.

Predicting the Intention to Donate Blood among Blood Donors Using a Decision Tree Algorithm

The blood donation process is essential for health systems. Therefore, the ability to predict donor flow has become relevant for hospitals. Although it is possible to predict this behaviour intention from donor questionnaires, the need to reduce social contact in pandemic settings leads to decreasing the extension of these surveys with the minimum loss of predictivity. In this context, this study aims to predict the intention to give blood again, among donors, based on a limited number of attributes. This research uses data science and learning concepts based on symmetry in a particular classification to predict blood donation intent. We carried out a face-to-face survey of Chilean donors based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. These data, including control variables, were analysed using the decision tree technique. The results indicate that it is possible to predict the intention to donate blood again with an accuracy of 84.17% and minimal variables. The added scientific value of this article is to propose a more simplified way of measuring a multi-determined social phenomenon, such as the intention to donate blood again and the application of the decision tree technique to achieve this simplification, thereby contributing to the field of data science.

Structural equation modeling test of the pre-intentional phase of the health action process approach (HAPA) model on condom use intention among senior high school students in Tianjin, China

Based on the Theory of Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with condom use intention in Chinese adolescents.In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional study using stratified cluster, convenience sampling method to assess condom use intention among senior high school students in Tianjin, China. One thousand eighty two senior high school students were anonymously surveyed through self-administered questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the pre-intentional phase of HAPA model.Among the participants, 41.5% (449/1082) were male, 54.1% (585/1082) were female, 4.4% (48/1082) were gender-deficient. The average age was 16.7 years. The final pre-intentional phase of HAPA model was acceptable (CFI = 0.95; GFI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.06). Action self-efficacy (r = 0.60) had a strong direct effect on condom use intention.The pre-intentional phase of HAPA model is valid to assess condom use intention among Chinese senior high school students. The pre-intention phase of the HAPA model could be applied to guide AIDS health educations of students, and further research is needed to evaluate the effect.

Patterns of condom use in a university student population residing in a high-risk area for HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to investigate factors associated with condom use among university students.

METHODS

During the 2013-2014 academic year, 1017 first and fourth year students from the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, northern Kosovo, completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and risky behaviours.

RESULTS

Condom use during the most recent sexual encounter and with casual partners was reported by just over half of participants. Factors associated with condom use during the most recent sexual encounter were: being male (35.1%), using medical sources of information about HIV (35.7%), having a positive approach to HIV testing (40.1%) and a positive attitude towards sex workers (17.7%), as well as not having had a sexually transmitted infection in the past year (54.2%). Factors associated with more frequent condom use with casual partners were: being single (28.9%), not living in a rented apartment or own home (32.1%), frequenting night clubs at the weekend (35.3%), not using drugs/opioids (54.1%), not being sure whether to keep a contact after learning of their HIV-positive status (10.1%), and having stronger opinions (either positive or negative) on homosexual individuals (15.5% and 32.1%, respectively), sex workers (18.7% and 23.9%, respectively) and drug users (13.2% and 36.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Condom use among students in northern Kosovo was low. Strategies for HIV prevention should be focussed on promoting healthy behaviours, especially among female students and students who live alone while at university. Moreover, sexuality education should be carried out in schools and primary health care centres to provide support and enable young people to negotiate safe sex.

Purchase Intention of Specialty Coffee

The main aims of this study are: (1) to test whether the theory of planned behavior (TPB) is useful to explain the intention to purchase specialty coffee; (2) to analyze whether people more involved in social responsibility could manifest a different response from those not so interested in this matter concerning specialty coffee. The sample is composed of 489 specialty coffee consumers from Brazil. The statistical tool for testing the measurement and structural model was partial least squares. Then a multigroup analysis was performed to meet the second objective; the software SmartPLS was utilized. The main contributions of this study are that we can explain the intention to use specialty coffee in a sample of Brazilian consumers using the classical TPB model. Moreover, we demonstrate the moderating effect of consumer perception of corporate social responsibility in this general model.