Kofi D Benefo1. 1. Department of Sociology and Social Work, Lehman College, City University of New York, NY, USA. kbenefo@alpha.lehman.cuny.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT: In Zambia, as in many other Sub-Saharan African countries, condom use is far below the level needed to alleviate serious threats to sexual and reproductive health. It is important to understand if and how partner and relationship characteristics are independently associated with condom use within nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships. METHODS: Descriptive and logistic regression analyses of data on 657 nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships reported by male and female respondents in the 2000 Zambian Sexual Behavior Survey examined condom use in the 12 months preceding the survey. RESULTS: Partner characteristics were not independently associated with condom use. Relationship characteristics that were significant largely differed by gender. Condom use within both male- and female-reported relationships was elevated if the male partner was five or more years older than the female (odds ratios, 2.1 and 3.7, respectively). Within male-reported relationships, having a partner from the same community was associated with a reduced likelihood of condom use (0.5); within female-reported relationships, the odds of condom use were elevated if sex had occurred only once (4.3). CONCLUSIONS: Condom promotion programs and interventions in Africa must take into account the relationship characteristics of intended participants, paying special attention to gender differences.
CONTEXT: In Zambia, as in many other Sub-Saharan African countries, condom use is far below the level needed to alleviate serious threats to sexual and reproductive health. It is important to understand if and how partner and relationship characteristics are independently associated with condom use within nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships. METHODS: Descriptive and logistic regression analyses of data on 657 nonmarital, noncohabiting relationships reported by male and female respondents in the 2000 Zambian Sexual Behavior Survey examined condom use in the 12 months preceding the survey. RESULTS: Partner characteristics were not independently associated with condom use. Relationship characteristics that were significant largely differed by gender. Condom use within both male- and female-reported relationships was elevated if the male partner was five or more years older than the female (odds ratios, 2.1 and 3.7, respectively). Within male-reported relationships, having a partner from the same community was associated with a reduced likelihood of condom use (0.5); within female-reported relationships, the odds of condom use were elevated if sex had occurred only once (4.3). CONCLUSIONS: Condom promotion programs and interventions in Africa must take into account the relationship characteristics of intended participants, paying special attention to gender differences.
Authors: Nelli Westercamp; Christine L Mattson; Michelle Madonia; Stephen Moses; Kawango Agot; Jeckoniah O Ndinya-Achola; Evans Otieno; Nicholas Ouma; Robert C Bailey Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2008-09-13
Authors: Thoovakkunon Moorkoth Chandran; Dirk Berkvens; Perpetual Chikobvu; Christiana Nöstlinger; Robert Colebunders; Brian Gerard Williams; Niko Speybroeck Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-05-28 Impact factor: 3.295