The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4272.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - Board 6

Abstract #44454

Determinants of condom use among youths in Madagascar

Dominique Meekers, PhD1, Martha Silva, BA1, and Megan Klein, BA2. (1) International Health and Development, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St. Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, (2) University of Maryland, 1260 21st Street #105, Washington DC, DC 20036

Objectives: To identify the key determinants of condom use with regular and casual partners among youth in Madagascar.

Data and Methods: Data stem from a reproductive health survey conducted in October-December 2000 among a representative sample of 2440 youth aged 15-24. Following theoretical behavior change models, we use logistic regression to assess the effect of AIDS awareness, personal risk perception, condom access, perceived condom effectiveness, self-efficacy and social support on condom use.

Results: Preliminary analyses indicate that male respondent’s likelihood to use a condom with a regular partner increases significantly if they perceive condoms as effective means of contraception (OR=10.97;p=.021). For females, use is higher among those who had discussed STI prevention with someone in the past year (OR=2.731;p=.028), as with high self-efficacy (OR=4.37;p=.003).

The predictors of condom use with casual partners differ. Among males, condom use with casual partners is significantly higher for those who had discussed HIV/AIDS in the past year (OR=1.81;p=.043), who perceive condoms as effective for contraception (OR=2.84;p=.049), who have a condom source within 10 minutes (OR=2.92;p=.001), and who have a high level of self-efficacy (OR=3.8;p=.003). For females high self-efficacy was also a significant predictor (OR=40.35;p=.015) as was reporting two or more casual partners (OR=18;p=.029).

Conclusions: Self-efficacy is an important predictor of condom use for female youth with both regular and casual partners, as for males with casual relationships. For males, perceiving condoms as effective for family planning is a very important predictor with regular and casual partners.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the learner will be able to

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: PSI
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

IH Posters III

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA