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Condoms remain a cost-effective and relatively simple intervention to prevent HIV infection. However, condom use is still very
low, particularly among youths aged 15 to 24. 348 individuals (186 males and 162 females) completed a pre-tested questionnaire.
Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with condom use. Out of 348 respondents, 296 (85.0%) were
sexually experienced, and 260 (87.8%) reported noncondomuse in the past 3months prior to the study. Amongmen, noncondom
use was independently associated with feeling shy to buy condoms (AOR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.12–1.34), condoms reducing sexual
pleasure (AOR = 8.19; 95% CI 3.98–17.01), and HIV is a serious and deadly disease (AOR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.28–0.46). Among
women, experiencing forced sex (AOR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.10–2.78), condoms reduce sexual pleasure (AOR = 8.29; 95% CI 3.36–
20.73), and inability to convince a partner to use condoms (AOR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.04–1.28) were predictors of noncondom use.
In conclusion, sexually active youths in this population practice risky sexual behaviours, with low condom use practices. Strategies
to improve condom use should address these psychosocial barriers associated with noncondom use. |
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