Attitudes toward condom use among high school and university students in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Utilizing a sample of students (N = 504) from Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, Africa, this study investigated the extent to which knowledge of AIDS and two components of the Health Belief Model are related to: l) attitude toward condom use, and 2) intentions to use a condom in future sexual encounters. Results indicated that knowledge of AIDS is not significantly related to any of the two dependent variables. However, belief in the efficacy of condoms, and lack of barriers to the use of condoms were significantly related to both dependent variables. Discussion focused on the role of religion and SES in influencing attitudes and decisions about condom use. © 2006, Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.