Because of the continued importance of correct condom-use in
controlling the HIV epidemic and the limited availability of tools for
assessing correct condom-use, methods for assessing condom-application
skills, especially when direct observation is not feasible, are needed.
Accordingly, in the context of a high-risk population (The Bahamas) for
HIV, a 17-item scale-the Condom-use Skills Checklist (CUSC)-was
developed for use among young adolescents and adults. The rationale and
approach to developing the scale and some measures of internal
consistency, construct validity, and criterion-related validity have
been described. It is concluded that the scale offers a reasonable
alternative to direct observation among older subjects and that further
development may make it more useful among pre-adolescents