ASSESSING THE STAGES OF CHANGE AND DECISION-MAKING FOR CONTRACEPTIVE USE FOR THE PREVENTION OF PREGNANCY, SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES, AND ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME

A synergistic approach was taken to examine contraceptive use adoption for two related behaviors: pregnancy prevention and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficienc y virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). One hundred t wenty-three young adults responded to questionnaire items based on two constructs from the Transtheoretical Model of Change, the Stages of C hange and Decisional Balance, as well as other pertinent variables. In Phase 1, two Decisional Balance measures were developed: One for the prevention of pregnancy and one for disease prevention. Final versions of both measures consisted of two 10-item scales: one representing th e positive aspects (PROS) and one representing the negative aspects (C ONS) of contraceptive and condom use. In Phase 2, the same individuals were staged for both pregnancy and disease prevention according to th eir readiness to change for contraceptive and condom use. MANOVAs and ANOVAs indicated that the PROS and CONS for both measures were related to stage of change for both contraceptive and condom use. Results fro m this pilot study were consistent with prior applications of the Tran stheoretical Model to the cessation of such problem behaviors as smoki ng and to the adoption of positive health behaviors such as exercise a cquisition.