Advantages and disadvantages of using condoms with an intimate heterosexual partner
Abstract
The validity and internal consistency of an anonymous self- report questionnaire assessing the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using a condom with an affective heterosexual partner was analyzed. We also analyzed the ability of the questionnaire to predict condom use in the past and the intention to use a condom within the next three months. A convenience sample consisting of 1711 college students (46.3% males, 60% aged fewer than 21) participated in the study. A cross-sectional de- sign was used. The internal consistency of the survey was comparable to similar instruments (Cronbach’s alpha of .605 for the advantages scale, .725 for the disadvantages scale). Advantages and disadvantages scores predicted systematic past condom use, although advantages were a stronger predictor. Advantages predicted the intention to use a condom in the next three months, although only among participants who were male and did not always use condoms. These findings suggest the need for prevention programs emphasizing the benefits of condom use and combating negative perceptions of their use, although emphasizing the benefits may have a greater impact on behavior.Downloads
The works published in this journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publications Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) retains the property rights (copyright) of published works, and encourages and enables the reuse of the same under the license specified in paragraph 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2022
2. The works are published in the online edition of the journal under a Creative Commons Reconocimiento-CompartirIgual 4.0 (legal text). You can copy, use, distribute, transmit and publicly display, provided that: i) you cite the author and the original source of publication (journal, editorial and URL of the work), ii) are not used for commercial purposes, iii ) mentions the existence and specifications of this license.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
3. Conditions of self-archiving. Is allowed and encouraged the authors to disseminate electronically pre-print versions (version before being evaluated and sent to the journal) and / or post-print (version reviewed and accepted for publication) of their works before publication, as it encourages its earliest circulation and diffusion and thus a possible increase in its citation and scope between the academic community. RoMEO Color: Green.
