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theses

The purpose of this study was to examine condom use self-efficacy, the ability to execute safer sexual behavior, in the pregnant adolescent population. In order to determine what may drive condom use self-efficacy the relationships between a participants prior related behavior in condom use, perceived barriers to condom use, perceived self-efficacy in condom use and how they impact commitment to use condoms were explored in order to gain an understanding of what drives condom use self-efficacy in this population. Since many studies related to risky sexual behavior have already been performed on the non-pregnant adolescent population it is important to compare the study results from both the non-pregnant and pregnant adolescent populations. This knowledge could lead to an understanding of any differences in these two populations; and if so how these differences may drive change in interventions in the future for pregnant adolescents that would decrease their risky sexual behavior. The relationships described above were hypothesized and measured based on the Health Promotion Model (HPM), a Nursing model, which posits that these relationships could collectively influence health behavior, which in this study would ultimately be condom use. A mediation model was also tested to explore whether perceived self-efficacy in condom use mediates prior related behavior and commitment to use condoms in the pregnant adolescent population. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the other hypothesized relationships. This included testing of the commitment to use condoms and how the determinants of prior related behavior with condom use, perceived self-efficacy in condom use, and perceived barriers of action to condom use affected that commitment. A convenience sample of 40 pregnant adolescents of whom were 20 weeks or greater in their pregnancy and were between the ages of 18 and 24 years old were recruited. The PI developed a demographic survey and this survey along with the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) was administered to these participants to collect the data for this exploratory study. Study results indicated that, in opposition to previous studies performed on non-pregnant adolescents, in the pregnant adolescent population there were no significant relationships between; 1) Commitment to use condoms and prior related behavior with condom use; 2) Perceived self-efficacy in condom use; and 3) Perceived barriers of action to condom use. Another important concept found was that contrary to the non-pregnant adolescent population, the pregnant adolescent population rated themselves very highly in condom use self-efficacy but did not use condoms nor plan to use condoms in the future. Given the STD rates were found to be very high in pregnant adolescents, putting both the mother and fetus at very high risk for a multitude of complications, there are opportunities for improvement in their health care. This study provides very valuable information that indicates the potential need for development and use of alternate education that meets the specific needs of pregnant adolescents. Replication of this study in a larger group, with multiple geographic settings, possible testing of other related theoretical constructs, and additional demographic information may also provide further insight into the special needs of this vulnerable population and improve generalizeability of these study results.

ETD_5834

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

Includes vita

by Rachael Simpson

doi:10.7282/T3JW8GHK

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.