Conceptualizing women's attitudes toward condom use with the tripartite model

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Women constitute 24% of HIV diagnoses in the US, primarily through heterosexual contact.
• Consistent condom use is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy.
• This study investigated women's attitudes towards condom use and measurement inconsistencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the structure of women's attitudes toward condom use.
• To identify potential affective and cognitive components influencing these attitudes.
• To inform the development of targeted HIV prevention messaging.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 556 female undergraduate students (October 2009 - March 2010).
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed.
• Assessed the affective and cognitive dimensions of condom use attitudes.

Main Results:

• A two-factor model (affective and cognitive) of condom use attitudes was supported.
• Participants reported negative feelings (affect) but favorable beliefs (cognition) about condom use.
• Affect explained more variance (42%) in attitudes than cognition (8%).

Conclusions:

• Understanding the dual nature of women's condom attitudes is crucial for HIV prevention.
• Targeted messaging can promote positive attitudes and normative change.
• Enhancing condom use interventions by addressing attitudinal components is recommended.