ASSESSING THE FACTORS INFLUENCING APPROPRIATE USE OF CONDOMS IN SOUTH GEM DIVISION, SIAYA DISTRICT

Abstract

The twin risk of unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS infection is a central concern of reproductive health programmes. Condoms are considered an effective barrier method because they can be used for the dual purpose of protecting against pregnancy and disease transmission. Despite widespread knowledge that condoms offer protection against STIs/HIV when used correctly and consistently, many people do not regularly use condoms, thus leading to new sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS. This study explored condom use behavior, specifically the extent to which demographic factors, economic factors, cultural factors and education level act as predictors of use or non-use of condoms among sexually active people. Data was obtained from sexually active 163 males and 223 females from south Gem division, who were selected through multistage sampling techniques. Analysis of data, which was done with SPSS version 12, focused on predictors of condom use or non-use. Although, 40% of men and one third of female (32.2%) report ever using condoms, a considerably lower proportion of male (22.5%) and female (14.6%) regularly use condoms. Age, sex, level of education and socio-cultural factors like the ability to negotiate for a safer sex all combined or singly still plays an integral role in determining appropriate condom use or disuse Implementation of effective health education and programmers in regard to condom use as a protective measure is critical. Programs aiming to increase condom use among people need to address these factors through community-based strategies. Policy makers will also find this data of importance when making decisions on resource allocation and manpower to integrated approach of HIV/AIDS prevention strategy