Effectiveness of a condom use educational program developed on the basis of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model.

AIM

To assess a condom use educational program developed using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model to enable Japanese young people to use condoms.

METHODS

The program was implemented in two sessions of approximately 90 min each over a 2 day period. The participants underwent the program in small same-sex groups. The study participants were divided into the intervention group (n=94) and the control group (n=186). Knowledge relating to HIV/sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), attitudes towards contraception and sex, the risk perceptions of pregnancy and HIV/STD infection, anticipated reaction to proposed condom use, self-efficacy of condom use, and sexual behaviors were assessed. Data were obtained at baseline, immediately after the program, and 1 and 3 months after the program or baseline survey.

RESULTS

Intervention group participants with experience of sexual intercourse (n=14) had significantly higher scores for knowledge relating to HIV/STDs, self-efficacy of condom use, and relief/confusion associated with condom use than the control group (n=13) at the 1 and 3 month surveys. Intervention group participants with no experience of sexual intercourse (n=14) had significantly higher scores for knowledge relating to HIV/STDs and self-efficacy of condom use, and significantly lower scores for condom avoidance, than the control group (n=116). Condom use behavior was not changed in either group.

CONCLUSION

The program used in this study did not promote condom use, but it increased knowledge relating to HIV/STDs and self-efficacy of condom use and reduced resistance to condom use.