The Role of Condom Use Self-Efficacy on Intended and Actual Condom Use Among University Students in Ghana

J Community Health. 2016 Feb;41(1):97-104. doi: 10.1007/s10900-015-0073-6.

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to the dimensions that help to predict and understand condom use among university students within an African context. A cross-sectional study involving 518 university students in Accra, Ghana was conducted to determine how the Condom Use self-Efficacy Scale-Ghana (CUSES-G) can predict both actual condom use and future condom use. Of all the participants, 84% were sexually active but less than half of the sample (48%) reported to have used condom during their last sexual intercourse. A hierarchical regression analysis showed that components of the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUESE-G) such as appropriation, assertiveness, pleasure and intoxication, and STDs predicted condom use and condom use intentions. Behavioural change campaigns targeting university students should encourage condom use self-efficacy, as this would strengthen condom use, which is economically cheap and practically effective means of preventing STIs including HIV.

Keywords: Condom use self-efficacy; Ghana; Sexually active; University students.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Ghana
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Universities*
  • Young Adult