Using the theory of planned behavior to predict intention to use condoms among female sex workers margaret

Abstract

This study tested the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) for Understanding and predicting condom use intentions among female commercial sex workers. Interviews were conducted with 634 sex workers recruited on the street in southern California. The interview assessed sex workers' intentions to have their main (e.g., husbands, steady boyfriends) and paying male partners use condoms, as well as attitudes, perceived subjective and partner norms, and perceived behavioral control relative to condom use with each of these two partner types. Reported frequency of condom use and strength of intention to use condoms were considerably lower for main than for paying partner. Similarly, condom-use attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, partner norms. and beliefs were less positive for condom use with main versus paying partners. Compared to sex workers without a main partner, those with a male main partner had significantly stronger intentions to use condom with paying partners, as well as more positive attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and paying partner norm toward using condoms with paying partners. The TPB accounted for 44% and 47% of the variance in condom use intentions with main and paying partner (p's<0.001), respectively. Attitudes toward condom use and perceived behavioral control over using condoms were positively associated with intention to use condoms with both main and paying partners (p's < 0.001), partner norms were positively related to intentions to use condoms with main but not paying partners, and subjective norms wm not related to condom use with either type of partner.

Key Words:

• Theory of planned behaviour
• condom use
• sex workers
• health bebaviour
• HIV prevention.