Factor structure of the Condoms Barriers Scale with a sample of men at high risk for HIV

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Male condom use is crucial for HIV prevention among high-risk populations.
• Understanding barriers to condom use is essential for effective interventions.
• Existing instruments may not fully capture male perspectives on condom use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Condom Barriers Scale (CBS) in a male population at high risk for HIV.
• To determine the reliability and validity of the CBS for assessing male attitudes and perceptions regarding condom use.
• To identify potential gender-specific discrepancies in the CBS factor structure.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 590 men in drug abuse treatment participated in a gender-specific HIV prevention program.
• Second-order confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess the CBS structure.
• Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion-related validity were examined.

Main Results:

• The four-factor subscale structure of the CBS was generally supported by confirmatory factor analysis.
• Exploratory factor analysis indicated some discrepancies in factor structure between men and women.
• The CBS demonstrated moderate to high internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
• CBS scores correlated with condom use among men with high-risk sexual partners, supporting validity.

Conclusions:

• The CBS is a potentially valid and reliable instrument for assessing male condom use barriers.
• The scale has utility in HIV prevention interventions targeting men.
• Item content modifications may be necessary to accurately assess gender differences and facilitate cross-study comparisons.