USING THE THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR TO PREDICT INTENTION TO USE CONDOMS AMONG MALE AND FEMALE INJECTING DRUG-USERS

This study tested the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for understanding and predicting condom use intentions among male and female injecting drug users (IDUs). Interviews were conducted with 405 male and 315 female sexually active IDUs. Participants indicated thei r intentions to use condoms with main and nonmain sexual partners as w ell as attitudes, social norms, partner norms, and perceived behaviora l control relevant to condom use with each partner type. The TPB accou nted for 36 to 48% of the variance in intentions to use condoms. Inten tions were related to attitudes, regardless of partner type. Partner n orms were related to intentions to use condoms with main partners (men and women) and nonmain partners (men only). Social norms did not pred ict intentions, regardless of partner type. Perceived behavioral contr ol was related to intentions to use condoms with main partners (men an d women) and nonmain partners (women only). The findings are interpret ed in light of the roles of cooperation, intimacy, and concern about s elf-protection.