title: Attitudes toward condoms as AIDS prophylaxis in homosexual men: dimensions and measurement.
abstract: Increases in condom use among homosexually active men are crucial to containing the spread of AIDS.  The present study examined the components of attitudes and beliefs toward condom use in homosexual and bisexual men using a modified version of Brown's Attitude toward condoms scale.  Factor analysis revealed 5 clear dimensions:  viewing condoms as unreliable and unerotic; as protection from infection; as unavailable when needed; as interrupting sex; and viewing condoms as a responsibility and being comfortable with condom use.  5 subscales constructed from these dimensions differentiated significantly between homosexual men who used condoms frequently and infrequently or never.  4 of the subscales (except Protection form Infection subscale) differentiated frequency of oral condom use; only the Responsibility and Comfort with Condom Use subscale differentiated frequency of anal condom use.  The Homosexual Attitudes toward Condom use scale demonstrates that:  dimensions of beliefs and attitudes toward condom use in homosexually active men differ substantially from those in heterosexual individuals; a reliable and valid scale for measuring such attitudes now exists; factors influencing condom use in this population differ for oral and anal intercourse; and this scale enables further research on determinants of condom use, and effects of modifying attitudes toward condom use in homosexually active men to be carried out.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D001519:Behavior; D017280:Condoms; D003267:Contraception; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D019049:Developed Countries; D004194:Disease; D005193:Family Planning Services; D015658:HIV Infections; D006716:Homosexuality; D010139:Pacific Islands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011584:Psychology; D012106:Research; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014777:Virus Diseases
keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome--prevention and control; Attitude; Australia; Barrier Methods; Behavior; Beliefs; Condom; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods; Contraceptive Usage; Culture; Developed Countries; Diseases; Family Planning; Hiv Infections; Homosexuals; Method Acceptability; Oceania; Psychological Factors; Questionnaire Design; Research Methodology; Sampling Studies; Sex Behavior; Studies; Survey Methodology; Surveys; Viral Diseases