Adolescent sexual risk: factors predicting condom use across the stages of change.
This study examined factors associated with high-risk adolescents' movement toward or away from adopting consistent condom use behavior using the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change. Participants drawn from the inactive comparison condition of a randomized HIV prevention trial (Project SHIELD) responded to items assessing pros and cons of condom use, peer norms, condom communication, and perceived invulnerability to HIV. Participants were categorized based on their condom use behavior using the Transtheoretical Model. Multiple logistic regressions found that progression to consistent condom use was predicted by continuing to perceive more advantages to condom use, reporting greater condom use communication with partners, and less perceived invulnerability to HIV. Movement away from adopting consistent condom use was predicted by a decrease in perceived advantages to condom use, increased perceived condom disadvantages, and fewer condom discussions. Future interventions may be tailored to enhance these factors that were found to change over time.
Grossman
Cynthia
C
National Institute of Mental Health, 6001 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. grossmanc@mail.nih.gov
Hadley
Wendy
W
Brown
Larry K
LK
Houck
Christopher D
CD
Peters
April
A
Tolou-Shams
Marina
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult