Psychosocial correlates of condom usage in a developing country

Abstract

This study examines the psychosocial factors accounting for condom usage during the last sexual episode for males, females, and the general population aged 15 -49 years, and the psychosocial factors accounting for frequency of condom usage in Jamaica. Logistic regression models were estimated using data collected in 2004 by the Jamaica Ministry of Health. Sixty-nine percent of the sample indicated that they had used a condom in the past, but only 31% reported that they had always used a condom in the previous 12 months, compared with 16.5% who reported "most times", 21.4% who reported "sometimes", and 31% who reported "never". Five variables emerged as statistically significant factors for the last time males used a condom (χ 2 = 128.76, P , 0.001), four variables for females (χ 2 = 75.45, P , 0.001), and five variables for the general population (χ 2 = 200.84, P , 0.001). The three most significant factors which correlated with frequency of condom usage in the previous 12 months with a current partner, in descending order, were condom usage during the first act of sexual intercourse with a current sexual partner, self-efficacy, and marital status. These findings are discussed within the general context of understanding condom usage, frequency of condom usage among Jamaicans, and how these can aid public health intervention programs.