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This article summarizes the development and psychometric analysis of a condom use self-efficacy measure for deployed, enlisted male U.S. Naval personnel. Sample ethnic subgroups included European American, Latino/Hispanic, African American, Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Biracial/Multiracial. Excellent reliability statistics were obtained for the full sample (alpha = .93, N = 2,722) and various ethnic subgroups (alpha = .93 to .95, n = 44 to 1,383). Correlations between self-efficacy scores and measures of condom use were similar in magnitude to effect sizes reported in research involving civilian populations (r = .18 to .34). Significant differences in self-efficacy scores for groups of condom users (e.g., consistent and nonconsistent users) for the full sample of men and ethnic subgroups provided further support for construct validity (p < .05). Study findings support the reliability and validity of the condom self-efficacy measure in this population and indicate its usefulness and the need for investigating its psychometric properties in other populations.

Study Question: Condom use by male enlisted personnel deployed on an aircraft carrier in spring 2002 who reported having casual sex partners in foreign ports and (1) only a steady partner, (2) only casual sex partners, or (3) both steady and casual sex partners in the home port., Study Design: Cross-sectional survey, with analysis of the subsample reporting multiple partners (n = 378)., Results: Sexual behavior was less frequent and condom use was higher in foreign ports (p < 0.0001). Men involved with both steady and casual partners used condoms less consistently than did those involved with only casual partners (p < 0.05). Sexual behavior also varied with the type of partner (p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Navy strategies promoting condom use in foreign ports appear effective. New strategies are needed for home ports and for men involved with both steady and casual partners.

As we move further into the 21st century, there are increasing numbers of teenagers and young adults infected with sexually transmitted diseases and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Aside from sexual abstinence, condom use is the best way to protect oneself from sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Participants in this study were predominantly female, predominantly Caucasian psychology students who experienced sexual intercourse with an opposite sex partner in the past year. Slightly fewer than half of these participants reported condom use at their last episode of vaginal intercourse and type of partner did not affect their condom use, nor did concern about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and sexually transmitted diseases. Findings such as these challenge advanced practice nurses to generate innovative strategies to promote condom use in all types of relationships. We propose that teaching about the link between cervical cancer and lack of condom use could be one of these new strategies.

Purpose: To examine knowledge regarding appropriate use of condoms and lubricants among three groups: female at-risk adolescents, nursing students, and education students., Methods: Study participants were 236 adolescents: 65 recruited through community agencies, 79 female nursing students, and 92 female education students. These participants completed anonymous questionnaires concerning lubricants, general condom knowledge, and sexual experience., Results: Neither nursing students nor education students were more knowledgeable than adolescents not enrolled in college. All participants were about as likely to think unsafe lubricants were safe as they were to think that safe lubricants were unsafe. Personal experience with vaginal intercourse and condom use was associated with increased knowledge (p < 0.05). However, 27% to 66% of participants who had used condoms answered the lubricant questions incorrectly., Implications: Nursing students need more education about condoms and condom lubricants if they intend to teach patients effectively. Moreover, nurses should not assume that youth are knowledgeable about appropriate condom use based on their level of education or sexual experience.

Interviewed 30 Hispanics and 34 African Americans in Detroit, aged 15-21, to identify condom beliefs that may influence condom use in young minority populations. Also explored the utility of the construct accessibility model in explaining condom-use behavior. Condom intentions were reported to be accessible by more African Americans than by Hispanic participants. (KS)

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine ethnic differences in predictors of condom use with casual sex partners in foreign ports by U.S. male enlisted Naval personnel. METHODS: U.S. male enlisted Navy personnel completed an anonymous survey toward the end of deployment on aircraft carriers during 2002-2003. Response rates varied by carrier from 49% to 65%. Analyses were conducted for the largest ethnic subgroups: Anglo (n = 826), African American (n = 236), Latino (n = 224), hi- and multi-racial (n = 132), and Asian (n = 55). RESULTS: Condom self-efficacy and partner norms were significantly related to consistent condom use in all subgroups. The effect of other variables (e.g., marital status, alcohol use) varied with ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic subgroups were more similar than different across psychological variables related to condom use. Findings underscore the importance of social context in understanding the effects of culture and ethnicity on health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the moderating influence of peer norms on condom use. Gender differences of condom use; Association of condoms with uncleanliness and responsibility; Implications for HIV prevention.

This study used multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate gender and ethnic differences in a theoretical model of condom use with a well known partner. The sample consisted of urban, low income, African American and Hispanic males and females. The theoretical model incorporated concepts from the Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and Construct Accessibility Model (CAM). A new theoretical concept, condom predisposition, emerged from SEM as a predictor of condom use in all four gender-ethnic groups. This concept combines elements of the TRA (attitude, partner norm) and CAM (accessibility of condom related constructs). Statistically reliable differences were found in the theoretical models for each group. For example, talking about AIDS was positively related to a predisposition to use condoms for African American males and both Hispanic males and females. In contrast, for African American females, it was their concern about AIDS that was positively related to this predisposition. These results underscore the importance of investigating gender differences within ethnic groups, and benefits of integrating different theoretical perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]