Condom use and partner characteristics among young adult males in urban Ghana, aged 15-24.
Addressing male sexual behavior and condom use is a high priority for adolescent health programs. Using the 1997 Ghana Psychographic Survey, the aim of this study is to explore the factors related to current, partner-specific condom use, by Ghanaian males aged 15-24 years. A multivariate regression analysis reveals an independent association between psychographic attitudes, peer network characteristics, sexual partner characteristics, and some level of condom use with a nominated sexual partner. The most important predictor for both condom use consistently as well as condom use at least sometimes was respondents' knowing someone who died as a result of AIDS. This finding suggests that future interventions should aim to personalize the risk of HIV/STIs, promote condom use with a range of partner types, and educate youth about the importance of consistent use.
Gray
B
B
University of Illinois at Chicago, Division of Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health and Institute of Government and Public Affairs, Suite 525, 815 West Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
Morgan
G T
GT
Shirer
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners