PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF CONDOM USE AMONG UNMARRIED MALE YOUTHS IN NIGERIA: NDHS 2008

Abstract

The HIV/STDs prevalence in Nigeria is becoming worrisome, particularly among youths. Reducing HIV/STDs in Nigeria will be a hallucination if research on condom use among youths is neglected. Few studies in Nigeria have paid attention to identifying associated factors influencing condom use, but failed to focus on male youths as evidenced in the current study. The study was retrospective cross-sectional in design and utilized 2008 NDHS dataset. The study focused on unmarried male youths aged 15-24 (n= 1629) who ever had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral and anal). The dependent variables were ever used and current use of condom. Data was analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression model. Mean age of the respondent was 20.5±2.4, 62.0% of the respondents ever used condom and the prevalent of current use or condom among sexually active male youths was 49.5%. Among the sexually active, age, region, residence, education, wealth index, ever tested for HIV and total life-time number of sexual partners were significantly associated with current use of condom (p<0.05). The multiple logistic regression analysis of ever use of condom revealed that; living in the southern part of the country predisposes male youths to the use of condom (OR=2.05 ; C.I= 1.55-2.72) than the north. The odd of ever use of condom was higher among male youths who were in the middle (OR=2·.45; C.I=l.48-4.07), richer (OR=2.59; C.I= 1.56-4.29) and richest (OR=3.13; C.I= 1.80-2.42) wealth indices than the poorest. Ever had an HIV test increases the likelihood of using condom (OR= l.52; C.I= l.07-2.16). The prevalence of condom use among sexually active unmarried male youths in Nigeria is low. Free access to condom and undergoing HIV test will increase utilization of condom among unmarried male youths in Nigeria.