College students and condom attitude: validation of the Multi-Factor Attitude toward Condoms Scale (MFACS).J Am Coll Health. 2011; 59(8):708-14.JA
OBJECTIVE
Sexually transmitted infections and the human immunodeficiency virus incidence rates remain high among college-aged individuals. This study examined the validity and reliability of the Multi-Factor Attitude toward Condoms Scale (MFACS).
PARTICIPANTS
Participants were recruited from a large midwestern university during February and March 2009.
METHODS
Data were collected using in-class data collection with a test-retest design from undergraduate courses. A total of 442 surveys were collected during initial testing and 421 during retesting.
RESULTS
Reliability assessments indicated a sufficient Cronbach's alpha for the total scale (α = .805) and each subscale: affective (α = .790), perceived effectiveness (α = .795), and manageability (α = .751). Further analyses provide evidence of construct validity.
CONCLUSIONS
The study reaffirmed the psychometric properties of the MFACS among a sample of college students. The MFACS provides a contemporary way to examine condom attitudes as sexual health research is moving beyond only disease prevention efforts.