CORRELATES OF CONDOM USE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM 2007 NATIONAL HIV/AIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SURVEY (NARHS)

Abstract

In Nigeria, studies have confirmed high prevalence rates of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic among the poor, majority of who are women of childbearing age. The number of HIV-positive children is increasing, with mother-to-child transmission as the principal route of infection. Since good health is basic to human welfare and a fundamental objective of social and economic development, this study provides insight into what exposes Nigeria women to high risk of HIV. Data were collected by personal interview method using structured and semi-structured questionnaire. A sample of 5360 subjects was selected through multi-staged sampling process. The subjects are females of reproductive age (15 to 49 years old). Preminary findings showed that the prevalence of condom use was very. low with only 22.6% being ever users. Knowledge of HIV transmission was still low among the respondents; only 26.8% knew the correct ways of contracting HIV. The prevalence of ever use of condom was highest among respondents aged 20-24 years (29.1 %) and lowest among teens (11.8%). Respondents age 15-19 are 2.8 times more likely to have ever used condom compared to those who were 25 years and above (OR=2.759, 95% CI; 1.925-3.955). The odds of ever use condom was 95% lower among respondents who had their first sex before age 20 compared to those who had their sex when they were 25 years and above. It was revealed that educational attainment is negatively associated with ever use of condom. It was also shown that women in the poorest group are 44% less likely to have ever used condom while those in the middle class are 26% less likely to have ever used condom compared to those who.are in the richest group. Urban dwellers are 1.5 times more likely to have ever use condom compared to their rural counterparts. Women who are having multiple sexual partners are 2.1 times more likely to have ever used condom compared to those who do not while respondents who took alcohol are 1.3 times more likely compared to those who do not take alcohol and the odds of ever use condom was 28% higher among women with no knowledge of HIV transmission routes compared to those with accurate knowledge of HIV transmission routes. In Conclusion, the study affirmed the linkage between alcohol use, and HIV/AIDS in one hand and also between religion and risky sexual behavior on the other hand. Knowledge of HIV/ AIDS, mode of transmission and prevention is still not very high among the respondents. Also, the cultural practice of multiple sexual partners is of serious concern in both the spread and risk sustaining factor of HIV/AIDS. Efforts at combating HIV/AIDS should take cognizance of Nigerian women many of whom may be difficult to reach through media.