Expectations, attitudes and perceived norms regarding condom use in Mozambique young people
H. Cassamo, Mª.E. Gras, M. Planes

SUMMARY

Objective: To find out prevalence of condom use in the last sexual relationship as well as attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about its use for preventing HIV heterosexual transmission in young people from three cities of Mozambique: Nampula, Bemba and Lichinga.

Design: Cross sectional survey study.

Participants: 632 high school students (56.8% male), with ages ranging from 15 to 24 years old. A proportional stratified random sampling has been used. Participation percentage is 79%.

Main measurements: Using a 0 to 10 scale we evaluate, with a questionnaire, attitudes about condom use, results and self-efficacy expectancies and perceived acceptation from social referents about its use. We also evaluate self-reported condom use in the last sexual relationship.

Results: Only 47.4% (IC 0.95= 42.0:52.8) of sexually active participants used condom in their last sexual relationship. In general, women’s attitude towards condom use is more favorable, and also their belief about its efficacy is stronger than men’s. However, females report lower use than males and they are not so able to ask their current couple to use it. Perceived self-efficacy to use or to request the use of the preservative increases in the case of an occasional pair as much in men as in women.

Conclusions: Institutional and social actions are required in order to promote condom use between Mozambique’s young people. Preventive programs also need to insist on changing attitudes and beliefs, and emphasize benefits derived from an adequate and systematic condom use since the very first coital relationship.

KEY WORDS

Condom, utilization, attitude, Mozambique.