Socio-Demographic Determinants of Condom Use Among Sexually Active Young Adults in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Aim:To investigate patterns, levels and socio-demographic determinants of condom use and consistency of use among young adults aged 15-24 years.Background:Condoms are known to prevent HIV infection. However, HIV prevalence and incidence remain high.Methods:This study was conducted in the Africa Centre Demographic Surveillance Area (ACDSA) in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Analysis focused on resident young adults aged 15-24 years in 2005. In univariable and multivariable analyses, determinants of condom use and consistency of use among 15-24 year olds were estimated using data collected in 2005. ‘Ever’ condom use was defined as the proportion who reported having used a condom; consistent use among those ever using as “always” using condoms with most recent partner in the last year.Results:3,914 participants aged 15-24 years reported ever having sex, of whom 52% reported condom use. Adjusting for age, sex, number of partners, residence of partner, partner age difference, type of partner and socio-economic status (SES), having an older partner decreased likelihood (aOR=0.69, p<0.01), while belonging to a household in a higher SES increased likelihood of ever using condoms (aOR=1.82, p<0.01). Being female (aOR=0.61 p<0.01) and having a regular partner (aOR=0.65 p<0.01) were independently associated with low consistent condom use.Conclusions:In this rural South African setting, condom use remains low, especially among females and with an older partner, situations commonly associated with increased HIV acquisition. Targeted supportive interventions to increase condom use need to be developed if HIV prevention programmes are to be successful.

Covariates of condom use in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey in 2008

“…These findings contradict previous research findings by Chimbindi et al (2010) in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and in other countries (e.g., Baker, Leon, & Collins, 2011) which show the opposite relationships which were explained by the belief that poverty leads to risk behaviour such as early sexual debut and less frequent use of condoms which puts poor people at risk of HIV infection (APA, n.d.; Davidoff-Gore, Luke, & Wawire, 2011). However, as HIV prevalence is highest among those who are poor and unemployed with low education and predominantly Black African, it is, therefore, not surprising that the poor also tend to use condoms more in order to protect themselves.…”

“…Simbayi et al partner and among females in new relationships of less than a year. Both these findings are consistent with those from other previous local and international studies (Chimbindi et al, 2010;Hendriksen et al, 2007;Yotebieng, Halperin, Mitchell, & Adimoru, 2009) and several Demographic and Health Surveys (e.g., Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) & ICF International Inc., 2012; Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) & ICF International, 2012; although cf. Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia) and ICF International, 2012).…”

“…Although there have been many studies on condom use in South Africa, many of them are now dated (e.g., Hendriksen, Pettifor, Lee, Coates, & Rees, 2007;Lane, 2004;Shisana & Simbayi, 2002;Shisana et al, 2005), while more recent studies are of relatively smaller scale (e.g., Hargreaves et al, 2009) or limited in geographic scope (e.g., Chimbindi, McGrath, Herbst, Tint, & Newell, 2010). This paper presents findings from an investigation into demographic, behavioural and psychosocial correlates of condom use at last sex among people aged 15 years and older nationally in South Africa who were sexually active during the previous 12 months prior to the 2008 national population-based survey.…”

Factors Affecting Accessibility and Utilization of Condom for HIV Prevention among Students in University of Calabar Community, Nigeria

“…While 13.8% females said that women are the sole decider of condom use, 12.6% said it's the man who should decide. This finding disagrees with a study carried out by (Chimbindi et al, 2010) stating that "condom is a male-determine method-it is the man who decides whether or not to used a condom".…”

Factors shaping condom use among South African university students: a thematic analysis

“…Female interviewees who struggled most with issues o f trust and condom use negotiation tended to be mismatched with their partners in terms of age, education, cultural background, and location of residence. Thus, gender power imbalances between partners may also be a reflection of additional imbalances, such as coming from/ living in different communities and having different life goals and values (Chimbindi, McGrath, Herbst, Tint, & Newell, 2010).…”