RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and self-efficacy and condom use among Iranian students. METHODS: Knowledge, attitudes towards condoms and self-efficacy of condom use questionnaire were translated and back translated. Then content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) questions higher than 0.6 and 0.71 were accepted, respectively. A "crosswise model" was used to estimate condom use. After pretest on 10 students, reliability test was done by test-re-test and Cronbach's α. A multi stage sampling was done for 1500 students in Shahroud universities. They filled in a self administered questionnaire and gave it back to the researcher after 40-50 min. FINDINGS: Knowledge, in females was (3.03±1.1) and in males was (3.53±0.83) (p=0.001). Also a small percentage of the students, i.e. 83 girls (9.1%) and six boys (1.1%) had good self-efficacy of condom use (p=0.001). Estimates relating to the use of condoms with a crosswise test showed that 16% of girls (CI=16, 24) and 27% of boys (CI=17, 38) had used a condom during intercourse. CONCLUSION: It seems that these three important indicators of reproductive health should be incorporated in AIDS control programs and training programs should emphasize it more.