BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are at an increased risk of HIV infection and they must be targeted for increased condom use. GOAL: To identify predictors of condom use among patients with STDs. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional survey, an interview-administered questionnaire was administered to 138 patients at the STD clinic, Mulago, and the outpatients department, Mbarara Hospital, in Uganda. Data were collected on socio-demographic situations, STD symptoms, type of sexual partners, and use of condoms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of condom use. RESULTS: Of the 138 patients, 87 (66%) knew how to use condoms, 81 (59%) ever used a condom, 34 (25%) used a condom at least once in the previous 3 months, 20 (15%) used a condom during the last sexual intercourse, and 80 (58%) accepted a free supply of condoms. Reasons for not using condoms among the 57 who had never were: having a regular partner or spouse (28, 49%), partner does not approve (17, 30%), reduced sexual pleasure (5, 9%), and no answer (7, 12%). The independent predictors of condom use were: being a man, not having a regular partner, having had sex with a casual partner, being able to read English, having at least secondary education, and using electricity for lighting. CONCLUSION: Providing health promotion messages in local languages may improve condom use in this population. There is a need for complementary HIV prevention strategies for women and for regular sexual partnerships.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are at an increased risk of HIV infection and they must be targeted for increased condom use. GOAL: To identify predictors of condom use among patients with STDs. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional survey, an interview-administered questionnaire was administered to 138 patients at the STD clinic, Mulago, and the outpatients department, Mbarara Hospital, in Uganda. Data were collected on socio-demographic situations, STD symptoms, type of sexual partners, and use of condoms. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of condom use. RESULTS: Of the 138 patients, 87 (66%) knew how to use condoms, 81 (59%) ever used a condom, 34 (25%) used a condom at least once in the previous 3 months, 20 (15%) used a condom during the last sexual intercourse, and 80 (58%) accepted a free supply of condoms. Reasons for not using condoms among the 57 who had never were: having a regular partner or spouse (28, 49%), partner does not approve (17, 30%), reduced sexual pleasure (5, 9%), and no answer (7, 12%). The independent predictors of condom use were: being a man, not having a regular partner, having had sex with a casual partner, being able to read English, having at least secondary education, and using electricity for lighting. CONCLUSION: Providing health promotion messages in local languages may improve condom use in this population. There is a need for complementary HIV prevention strategies for women and for regular sexual partnerships.
Entities:
Keywords:
Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Barrier Methods; Behavior; Condom; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods; Cross Sectional Analysis; Developing Countries; Diseases; Eastern Africa; English Speaking Africa; Family Planning; Hiv Infections; Infections; Reproductive Tract Infections; Research Methodology; Research Report; Risk Reduction Behavior; Sex Behavior; Sexual Partners; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Uganda; Viral Diseases
Authors: Ekere James Essien; Gbadebo O Ogungbade; Harrison N Kamiru; Ernest Ekong; Doriel Ward; Laurens Holmes Journal: Mil Med Date: 2006-10 Impact factor: 1.437