Factors that affect condom use in African American adolescent females

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2002) reported that African American females aged 15-19 had a gonorrhea rate 18 times greater than non-Hispanic white adolescents. These adolescents reported being more likely than white and Hispanic adolescents to use condoms. This population also has an increase in sexual risk-taking behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of condom knowledge and perceived risk of obtaining STD/HIV with African American adolescent females. Also examined was the relationship of sexual self-efficacy and rate of condom use. The conceptual framework used was based on Bandura's (1982) social cognitive theory. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health dataset was utilized. The variables extracted were taken from Wave II results. The analysis revealed relationships were not statistically significant, which suggested further research was necessary on factors needed to increase condom use in hope of decreasing the STD/HIV rates in this population.