Determinants of condom use among heterosexual young men and women in southeastern Ghana: a mediation analysis

Sexual risk behaviour among young people raises public health concerns in Ghana. This study aimed to determine the predictors of condom use among heterosexual young people in the eastern region of Ghana, using a health behaviour theory - the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Participants completed a questionnaire battery assessing attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, intentions and condom use behaviour. Structural equation modelling procedures were used to analyse the data. Attitudes towards condom use and perceived behavioural control over condom use were significantly positively associated with the intention to use condoms. Intention to use condoms predicted condom use behaviour. Moreover, intention to use condoms mediated the attitude-behaviour relationship, and the perceived control-behaviour relationship. These results highlight the importance of using behavioural beliefs, perceived control beliefs and behavioural intention as key variables in condom promotion programmes among in-school heterosexual youth in the eastern region of Ghana.