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  • Title: Gender and ethnic differences in adolescents' attitudes toward condom use.
    Author: Hodges BC, Leavy M, Swift R, Gold RS.
    Journal: J Sch Health; 1992 Mar; 62(3):103-6. PubMed ID: 1619900.
    Abstract:
    This secondary analysis from the National Adolescent Student Health Survey (NASHS) examined relationships between adolescents' personal and perceived peer attitudes toward condom use with gender and self-reported ethnic background. Descriptive results revealed general personal support and perceived peer support for condom use. Results from multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVAs) demonstrated significant interaction effects for the eighth grade sample [F = (4, 2383228) = 3530.01 p = .000], and the 10th grade sample [F = (4, 2636878) = 2594.41073, p = .000]. Contrasts revealed significant differences among all ethnic groups for both belief variables for the entire sample, eighth grade students, and 10th grade students. Though general support exists for condom use among U.S. eighth and 10th grade students, conviction varies among groups perhaps indicating a need for tailored messages about condom use, especially for Hispanic students. Implications for health education include the need for cultural-sensitive and gender-sensitive STD education. The 1985 National Adolescent Student Health Survey (NASHS) was used to examine gender and ethnic differences in adolescent attitudes toward condom use. The methods and multistage sampling scheme and instruments are described. Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses that personal attitudes toward condom use and perceived peer support for condom use will or will not differ by gender for black, Hispanic, and white 8th graders, and that attitudes and support will or will not differ by ethnic group and gender for 10th graders. The results indicate that there was general personal support for condom use by adolescents, and the perception that peers support condom use. There are inconsistent results across ethnic groups, and the null hypotheses were rejected. Significant interaction effects were demonstrated for both grade levels which indicates that ethnicity and gender influence beliefs about condom use. The interactive effects made for difficult interpretation, however, it is thought that significant differences in personal attitudes toward condom use are due to the beliefs of Hispanic females in both grade levels. Less peer support is felt by 8th grade black males. 10th grade white males perceive more support from peers than Hispanic or black youth. Significant differences were found in the means of condom belief variables among all ethnic groups at all grade levels. This data set did not provide information on the link between beliefs and condom use. Additional research is needed in order to understand why black females perceive less support for condom use than black males, and in general why perceived support may be in fact less than actual personal support. Hispanic beliefs about peer support also should receive research attention. Health educators need to instruct on how to use condoms as well as increasing acceptance of condom use, and focus on barriers to use such as communication between partners and condom self-efficacy. There were limitations in that only schools agreeing to participate were included and only those present on the survey day, that the survey was in English only, and that it was based on self-reports. Health education should be culturally directed, gender directed, institutionalized as condoms are cool, reinforced through booster sessions, and involve practical skills.
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