CONDOM USE BY LOW-INCOME AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC YOUTH WITH A WELL-KNOWN PARTNER - INTEGRATING THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL, THEORY OF REASONED ACTION, AND THE CONSTRUCT ACCESSIBILITY MODEL

This study used multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) to e valuate gender and ethnic differences in a theoretical model of condom use with a well known partner. The sample consisted of urban, low inc ome, African American and Hispanic males and females. The theoretical model incorporated concepts from the Health Belief Model (HEM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and Construct Accessibility Model (CAM). A new theoretical concept, condom predisposition, emerged from SEM as a predictor of condom use in all four gender-ethnic groups. This concept combines elements of the TRA (attitude, partner norm) and CAM (access ibility of condom related constructs). Statistically reliable differen ces were found in the theoretical models for each group. For example, talking about AIDS was positively related to a predisposition to use c ondoms for African American males and both Hispanic males and females. In contrast, for African American females, it was their concern about AIDS that was positively related to this predisposition. These result s underscore the importance of investigating gender differences within ethnic groups, and benefits of integrating different theoretical pers pectives.