Assessing sexual risk behavior beliefs and self-efficacy for condom use among selected college students

BACKGROUND: In spite of education on the consequences of unsafe sexual practices, only 45 % of college students practice safe sex through the use of condoms, which makes them vulnerable to high risk outcomes like HIV infection and unwanted pregnancies. PURPOSE: To compare attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and barriers to condom use among students attending selected two-year colleges in New Mexico. METHODS: A stratified random sample of Basic English classes from three two-year institutions was selected for inclusion in the study. The instrument was an adaptation of an instrument developed by Yarber, Bauserman, Schereer, and Davis (1998). RESULTS: The sample population consisted of 234 students (63.2% women); of which 79% indicated they were sexually active. In regards to attitudes towards safe sex practices, 94.5 % (N = 221) believed that condoms should always be used, but only 79.1 % (N = 185) indicated that it was the norm. Female participants had more positive attitudes than males in self-efficacy for buying and using condoms. For cases of sexual activity with same or opposite sex partners, only 33% of students who had penetrative vaginal sex always used condoms; only 41% who had penetrative anal sex always used condoms, and only 11% who had oral sex always used condoms. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of these students engage in high risk non condom use sexual behaviors, but feel comfortable discussing, purchasing, or using them. Further planning, implementation, and evaluation of sexual health programs need to be in progress to address these issues concerning unsafe sex practices.