Pattern, challenges and correlates of condom use among Nigerians living with HIV infection

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the pattern, challenges and correlates of condom use among Nigerians living with HIV Infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross sectional questionnaire study among HIV positive adults attending an HIV treatment centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Data entry and analysis were done with Epi-info version 3.5.1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean age of respondents was 35 (SD=7.7; range 17-58 years) and mean age at sexual debut was 20 years old (range 7-37 years). Majority were women (66.6%), had at least secondary school education(91.1%), married (68.2%)), on ART (50.7%) and knew their partners HIV status(60.9%). The rate of condom use at last sex act was 65.9%, but only 48.8% used condom consistently. Factors associated with condom use were male gender (OR=2.43, CI=1.35-4.33, P=0.002), less than secondary school education (OR=3.12, CI=1.04-9.28, P=0.05) and Not knowing partner's HIV status (OR=1.90, CI=1.04-3.80, P=0.04). Refusal to use condom (28.4%) were as a result of pregnancy intention, undesirability of condom in marriage and decreased sexual pleasure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is low consistent condom use rate of 48.8% among this cohort despite their exposure to behavioural change messages. A review of the present counselling strategy and combination prevention is therefore advocated.</p>