| Given the low prevalence of condom use and the lack of scientific literature on condom use among Chinese young adults, this study sought to adapt the multiple domain model of condom use developed in the United States to explain condom use in this important Chinese population. A cross-sectional survey of 490 heterosexually active students was conducted in a university in Hunan Province in China. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model.; Preparatory behaviors, including buying condoms, having them available, and discussing condom use with a sexual partner, were the strongest predictors of condom use. Condom attitudes, social norms regarding condom use, condom use self-efficacy, the length of a close or steady relationship, and alcohol use were also significant predictors of condom use. Drug use was not a significant predictor.; Strong associations were also found between knowledge about HIV/AIDS and condom health/relational attitudes as well as social norms. HIV knowledge was not directly related to condom use. Participants' exposure to HIV/AIDS information was a significant predictor of positive attitudes and norms relating to condom use, condom self-efficacy, and preparatory behaviors.; Associations between sensation seeking and condom attitudes, social norms, self-efficacy, and condom use were not statistically significant, although sexually active students were high in sensation-seeking. Impulsivity was significantly related to social norms and condom use. This suggests that sensation-seeking and impulsivity can be used as targeting variables in interventions to prevent risky sexual behavior.; Finally, demographic variables (gender, age, and socioeconomic status) were not found to be directly associated with condom use, which is somewhat inconsistent with the findings of Western studies.; In summary, this study suggests that the multiple domain model and theories of reasoned action and planned behavior can help us better understand heterosexual condom use among Chinese young people Future HIV-preventive and safer sex interventions in China can design and target messages effectively based on the multiple domain model.; Keywords. Condom Use, Multiple Domain Model, Personality Traits, TRA/TPB, Structural Equation Modeling. |
