Condom Use for Preventing STI/HIV and Unintended Pregnancy Among Young Men in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Published in: American journal of men's health Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 60 - 78
• Main Authors: Bankole, Akinrinola, Singh, Susheela, Hussain, Rubina, Oestreicher, Gabrielle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2009; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Africa South of the Sahara - epidemiology; Age Factors; Cohort Studies; Condoms - utilization; Developing Countries; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Incidence; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Safe Sex - statistics & numerical data; Sexual Behavior - ethnology; Sexual Partners; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Unsafe Sex - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; ISW, Indian Ocean, Madagascar; Namibia; unintended pregnancy; young men; condoms; sexually transmitted infections; HIV; Sub-Saharan Africa
• ISSN: 1557-9883; 1557-9891
• DOI: 10.1177/1557988308322394

The condom is the only known method that provides simultaneous protection against unplanned pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among sexually active people. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys from 18 Sub-Saharan African countries, this study examined condom use and reasons for using the method at last intercourse among sexually active young men aged 15 to 29. Most young men were aware of the condom (73%-98%), but its use at last intercourse was quite variable, ranging from 6% in Madagascar to 74% in Namibia. In 10 countries, more young men reportedly used condoms for preventing STIs alone than they did for preventing pregnancy alone. In 6 countries, at least one third of the users used the method for both purposes. Use of the condom at last intercourse was associated with union status, education, residence, and exposure to television in at least two thirds of the countries.