Health Action Process Approach to condom use in university students

Abstract

Application of the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) to condom use behavior in university students was investigated. University students (n = 230: 80 males and 150 females, Mean age 20.39 years, SD = 1.60) completed a questionnaire that inquired about demographic variables, including gender, marital status, sexual history, percentage of condom use, and planning for condom use, as well as social‒cognitive variables that included risk perception, outcome expectancies, preventive behavioral intentions, and action self-efficacy. Structural Equation Modeling with Amos 5 and the Maximum Likelihood estimation method was used to test HAPA. Results indicated that the model fit indices satisfied statistical requirements (GFI = .96, AGFI = .84, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .14). Each pass in HAPA was found to have a positive influence on each variable, whereas risk perception had a nonsignificant effect on intention. These results indicate that HAPA is a valid model for explaining condom use behavior among university students.View full abstract