Predictors of condom use self-efficacy in women at risk for HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This cross-sectional study sought to determine if depressive symptomatology, perceived peer group condom use, and experience with condoms in the last six months, are predictive of condom use self-efficacy; and if condom use self-efficacy is predictive of reported condom use frequency. Additionally, this study sought to determine if greater use of the coping strategies "acceptance of the situation", "tying to problem solve", and "focusing on the positive", are associated with greater condom use self-efficacy; and if greater use of the strategy "avoidance", is inversely associated with condom use self-efficacy.;One hundred and twelve (N = 112) female subjects at risk for HIV infection were sampled from two of the four sites of the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS); (n = 62) from the Bronx, New York site, and (n = 50) from the Detroit, Michigan site. Multiple regression analysis revealed that experience with condoms and higher perceived peer condom use were predictive of greater condom use self-efficacy, while depressive symptomatology was not. This model accounted for 19 percent of the variance after controlling for covariates. Ad hoc multiple regression analyses revealed that although depressive symptomatology was not a significant predictor, it contributed 1 percent to the variance of the hypothesized model of condom use self-efficacy. The hypothesized model accounted for 20 percent of the variance for condom use self-efficacy after controlling for covariates.;Condom use self-efficacy predicted the greatest amount of the variance in the multiple regression model with frequency of condom use as the outcome. After controlling for the covariate, HERS site, less use of avoidant coping significantly predicted greater reported frequency of condom use, while perceived peer condom use did not. This model accounted for 26 percent of the variance after controlling for HERS site.;No association was found between coping styles and condom use self-efficacy. Results underscore the importance of utilizing the construct, condom use self-efficacy, in developing HIV prevention programs for women at risk for HIV. Direction for future research in this area is discussed.