title: Conceptualizing women's attitudes toward condom use with the tripartite model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) estimated that women represent 24% of HIV diagnoses in the United States, with most infections resulting from heterosexual contact. However, consistent condom use is highly effective in preventing the spread of HIV. The current study examined women's attitudes toward condom use and potential inconsistencies related to the conceptualization and measurement of attitudes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from October 2009 through March 2010. Researchers included 556 female undergraduate students from the Southeast region of the United States. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine whether women's condom use attitudes were composed of an affective and a cognitive component.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence for a two-factor model of condom use attitudes consisting of an affective and cognitive component was found, with participants reporting slightly negative feelings toward condom use but favorable beliefs about using condoms. Affect accounted for more variance (42%) than cognition (8%) in condom use attitudes. Notably, affect and cognition were differentially associated with past behavior and intentions to use condoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the structure of women's attitudes toward using condoms can aid in the creation of appropriate HIV prevention and condom use messaging targeted toward promoting positive attitudes and normative change. Changing women's attitudes in this manner could enhance the effectiveness of condom use interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762-6161, USA. khood@psychology.msstate.edu
authors.forename: Kristina B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shook
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D003071:Cognition; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult