Use of condoms: intention and behaviour of adolescents living in juvenile rehabilitation centres

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Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the psychosocial factors explaining intention and behaviour regarding condom use among a sample of 152 adolescents (44 F; 108 M) living in juvenile rehabilitation centres. At baseline, the variables derived from psychosocial theories were assessed by questionnaire. The self-report of condom use was obtained 3 months later. The variability in intention (R2 = 0.76; P < 0.001) was explained by personal principles guiding adoption of the behaviour (β = 0.44, P < 0.001), perceived control in adopting the behaviour (β = 0.36, P < 0.001) and habit of using condoms in the previous 3 months (β = 0.15, P < 0.01). Prediction of condom use yielded an R2 of 0.49 (P < 0.001), the interaction terms formed by intention and perceived behavioural control (P < 0.01) and habit of using condoms by perceived behavioural control (P < 0.001) being the significant predictors. MANOVA analyses revealed important differences between high and low intenders on each of the items of the personal principle scale and the perceived control sub-scales. The results suggest that the promotion of condom use among adolescents experiencing social adaptation difficulties should focus on developing the personal social responsibility that each individual has regarding the adoption of a responsible sexual behaviour, as well as developing the personal skills and resources necessary to overcome the psychological and physical barriers of using condoms.

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