Perceived risk and condom use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a latent class analysis

While studies have examined factors associated with condom use behaviors, few have assessed risk perception and condom use among SSA adolescents. This work sought to fill this gap. Data for this study are derived from the National Survey of Adolescents (2004-2005), a survey of 12-19 year olds in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, and Uganda. Latent class analysis was conducted. Two risk profiles emerged in the data. Percent of adolescents in the high perceived risk sub-groups ranged from 49.6% - 90.8% and moderate risk from 29.1-83.8%. Those in the high perceived risk class were 2.26 to 5.10 times more likely to report condom use. The findings provide additional information about the factors that influence condom use among adolescents in these four countries. Because an individual's development is influenced by his/her settings and systems, expanded views of behavior must be included in prevention efforts.