Main Article Content
Prevalence and factors influencing consistent condom use among sexually active young people attending a youth friendly centre in Kenya, 2008
Abstract
Objectives: Young people in Kenya engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with resultant high rates of unwanted pregnancy, STIs and HIV rates. To formulate effective and acceptable approaches that encourage safer sexual behavior, we need to understand young people sexual behavior. We thus conducted a study to determine prevalence and factors influencing consistent condom use among youths in Kenya.
Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study at the Youth Friendly Centre of Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru town. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from persons aged 15 to 24 years using systematic random sampling method. Subjects who self reported positively on all three variables i.e.. ever condom use., \condom use within the last three months., and \condom use during the last sexual encounter. were defined as \consistent condom users.. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test with alpha level of significance at 0.05.
Results: Among the 223 enrolled subjects 196 (87%) were sexually active. The prevalence of consistent condom use was 36 %. Independently promoters of consistent condom use were; talking with parents about condom (OR=2.65; 95% CI=1.37-5.12; p = 0.004); attaining college level education (OR= 2.55; 95% CI=1.32-4.94; p = 0.006) and having multiple sexual partners (OR= 2.05; 95% CI=1.01-4.16; p = 0.048). Belief that condom diminishes pleasure (OR= 0.50; 95% CI=0.26-0.96; p = 0.037) and last sexual partner being a spouse (OR= 0.36; 95% CI=0.13-0.97; p = 0.044) were independent hindrances to consistent condom use.
Conclusions: Majority of youths are sexually active with few of them not consistently using condom. Parents should be informed on the sexual behavior of the youth inorder to discuss about safer sexual behavior with their youths while encourage abstinence or postponement of sexually activity. Youth peer education need to be strengthened to foster safer sexual behaviors.
Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study at the Youth Friendly Centre of Provincial General Hospital in Nakuru town. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from persons aged 15 to 24 years using systematic random sampling method. Subjects who self reported positively on all three variables i.e.. ever condom use., \condom use within the last three months., and \condom use during the last sexual encounter. were defined as \consistent condom users.. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square test with alpha level of significance at 0.05.
Results: Among the 223 enrolled subjects 196 (87%) were sexually active. The prevalence of consistent condom use was 36 %. Independently promoters of consistent condom use were; talking with parents about condom (OR=2.65; 95% CI=1.37-5.12; p = 0.004); attaining college level education (OR= 2.55; 95% CI=1.32-4.94; p = 0.006) and having multiple sexual partners (OR= 2.05; 95% CI=1.01-4.16; p = 0.048). Belief that condom diminishes pleasure (OR= 0.50; 95% CI=0.26-0.96; p = 0.037) and last sexual partner being a spouse (OR= 0.36; 95% CI=0.13-0.97; p = 0.044) were independent hindrances to consistent condom use.
Conclusions: Majority of youths are sexually active with few of them not consistently using condom. Parents should be informed on the sexual behavior of the youth inorder to discuss about safer sexual behavior with their youths while encourage abstinence or postponement of sexually activity. Youth peer education need to be strengthened to foster safer sexual behaviors.
