Influence of Health Beliefs, Attitudes and Concern About HIV/AIDS on Condom Use in College Women

ABSTRACT

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) represents a significant health risk for all sexually active adults. Women, in particular, may be at greater risk of HIV infection due to attitudes and beliefs which interfere with initiating and maintaining consistent condom usage. One hundred twenty-six college women completed a survey which measured the impact of sex role ascription, drug and alcohol use patterns, number of partners and sexual history in predicting condom usage. Additional factors explored include attitudes towards condoms, health beliefs, and present and future concern about contracting HIV/AIDS from a sexual partner. Findings indicate that intent to use condoms in the future was associated with greater present and future concern about contracting HIV/AIDS. In regression analyses, only number of previous sexual partners was significantly related to condom use.

Key Words:

• HIV/AIDS
• sex-roles
• HIV and condom use
• women and AIDS