Developing a scale for measuring barriers to condom use in Ghana

Stephen O. Kwankye, University of Ghana
Delali M. Badasu, University of Ghana
Olutobi A. Sanuade, University of Ghana

This study attempts an evaluation of the reliability and validity a scale developed for measuring barriers to condom use in Ghana. It uses a sample of 3,407 respondents 12-59 years in all 10 regions in Ghana. The Barriers to Condom Use Scale was made up of 32 items. A principal component analysis with Varimax Rotation which produced the dimension of differentiation was used in confirming the scale construct validity and its reliability assessed using Cronbach's alpha. All six dimensions of the scale of barriers: partner, sexual experience, motivational, access, misconception and, social and religious barriers were reliable, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91, 0.85, 0.73, 0.75, 0.59 and 0.53 respectively. It concludes that the scale was valid and reliable in measuring condom use barriers in all 10 regions in Ghana. Consequently, the scale provides a good basis for exploring the factors contributing to barriers to condom use in Ghana.