A Comprehensive Test of the Health Belief Model in the Prediction of Condom Use among African American College Students

This study tested an expanded version of the Health Belief Model (HBM) in the prediction of condom use during vaginal intercourse among African American college students. Results from regression analyses indicated that only the core HBM explained a significant amount of variance in condom use. Perceived barriers and gender were the only significant predictors of condom use. Perceived barriers were found to mediate the correlation between gender and condom use. Specifically, controlling for perceived barriers, the tendency for men to use condoms increased. Consistent with past research findings, high levels of HIV/AIDS risk knowledge was not significantly correlated with condom use. The findings suggest a need to consider additional (e.g., sociocultural) factors associated with African American sexual decision making and condom use to develop applicable conceptual models and HIV/AIDS prevention approaches.