title: Predictors of condom use among young adults in South Africa: the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit National Youth Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined correlates of condom use among a national random probability sample of sexually experienced young adults aged 15 to 24 years (n = 7686) in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit National Youth Survey, we conducted gender-stratified bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine predictors of whether respondents had used a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Condom use at sexual debut and talking with one's first sexual partner about condoms were the most significant predictors of condom use at most recent intercourse. Other significant predictors included high condom use self-efficacy, optimism about the future, and reported behavior change attributable to HIV/AIDS. Young adults who were married or had been involved in a relationship for 6 months or more were significantly less likely to have used a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings point to the importance of exposing youths to sexuality education before their sexual debut as well as voluntary counseling and testing and programming that supports young adults, particularly young women, in making informed decisions about sexual intercourse and condoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. ehendrik@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Ellen Setsuko
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pettifor
authors.forename: Sung-Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Helen V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires