Cultural adaptation of condom use self efficacy scale in Ghana

Abstract

Accurate assessment of self-reports of sexual behaviours are vital to the evaluation of HIV prevention and family planning interventions. This investigation was to determine the cross-cultural suitability of the Condom Use Self Efficacy Scale (CUSES) for Ghana. A survey using a sample of 520 aged 17 to 32 years from Ghana completed the anonymous scale. A Principal Component Analysis identified a 14 item scale with four reliable factors labelled Appropriation (Cronbach alpha=.85), Assertive (Cronbach alpha=.90), Pleasure and Intoxicant (Cronbach alpha=.83), and STDs (Cronbach alpha=.81) that altogether explained 73.72% of total variance. The scale correlated well with a measure of actual condom use (r=.73), indicating evidence of construct validity. The factor loadings were similar to the original scale but not identical suggesting relevant cultural variations. The study therefore cautioned researchers against the use of the original CUSES without validation in African settings and contexts