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

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine the pattern, challenges and correlates of condom use among Nigerians living with HIV Infection.MethodsA 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionThere 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.