Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda
Background: Condoms have proven to be an effective contraceptive barrier method of family planning and have played a vital role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. However, existing evidence shows that utilization of condoms remains low, especially among youth and adolescents....
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MDPI AG
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Venereology |
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| author | Brian Otim Jerom Okot Christine Nannungi Ritah Nantale Winnie Kibone Grace Madraa Christopher Okot Felix Bongomin |
| author_facet | Brian Otim Jerom Okot Christine Nannungi Ritah Nantale Winnie Kibone Grace Madraa Christopher Okot Felix Bongomin |
| author_sort | Brian Otim |
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| description | Background: Condoms have proven to be an effective contraceptive barrier method of family planning and have played a vital role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. However, existing evidence shows that utilization of condoms remains low, especially among youth and adolescents. We aimed to determine the condom use rate and associated factors among the students of Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulu University between June and December 2023. The students were accessed from their respective faculties and chosen using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Condom use was defined as use of either male or female condom in any sexual encounter within the previous six months. Results: A total of 404 participants, with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range (21.5–24) years) were enrolled in this study, 54.2% (n = 219) of whom were men. The response rate of the respondents was 94.1%. Overall, 81.4% (n = 329) of the participants were in senior classes (year 2, 3, 4, and 5), and 18.6% (n = 75) were in their first year of study. The condom use rate was 53.7% (n = 217). Condom use rate was 50.2% (n = 109) among male and 49.8% (n = 108) among female students. Sex (men) (aPR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.95, <i>p</i> = 0.01), nature of sexual relationship (married) (aPR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.85, <i>p</i> < 0.015), place of HIV testing (University health unit) (aPR =1.22, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.41, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and having sex in the absence of condoms (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.46, <i>p</i> = 0.021) were significantly associated with consistent condom use. Conclusions: Just over half of undergraduate students of Gulu University used condoms in their sexual encounters in the past six months. There should be heightened campaigns on condom use to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d8a89f87a73a41f6ad163b7c3befcdce |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2674-0710 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Venereology |
| spelling | doaj-art-d8a89f87a73a41f6ad163b7c3befcdce2025-08-20T01:55:57ZengMDPI AGVenereology2674-07102024-09-013314716110.3390/venereology3030012Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, UgandaBrian Otim0Jerom Okot1Christine Nannungi2Ritah Nantale3Winnie Kibone4Grace Madraa5Christopher Okot6Felix Bongomin7Department of Public Health, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Public Health, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Public Health, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Community and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Mbale, Busitema University, Mbale P.O. Box 236, UgandaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Rural Development and Agri-Business, Faculty of Agriculture, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Public Health, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Gulu University, Gulu P.O. Box 166, UgandaBackground: Condoms have proven to be an effective contraceptive barrier method of family planning and have played a vital role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. However, existing evidence shows that utilization of condoms remains low, especially among youth and adolescents. We aimed to determine the condom use rate and associated factors among the students of Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulu University between June and December 2023. The students were accessed from their respective faculties and chosen using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Condom use was defined as use of either male or female condom in any sexual encounter within the previous six months. Results: A total of 404 participants, with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range (21.5–24) years) were enrolled in this study, 54.2% (n = 219) of whom were men. The response rate of the respondents was 94.1%. Overall, 81.4% (n = 329) of the participants were in senior classes (year 2, 3, 4, and 5), and 18.6% (n = 75) were in their first year of study. The condom use rate was 53.7% (n = 217). Condom use rate was 50.2% (n = 109) among male and 49.8% (n = 108) among female students. Sex (men) (aPR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.95, <i>p</i> = 0.01), nature of sexual relationship (married) (aPR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.85, <i>p</i> < 0.015), place of HIV testing (University health unit) (aPR =1.22, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.41, <i>p</i> = 0.005), and having sex in the absence of condoms (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.46, <i>p</i> = 0.021) were significantly associated with consistent condom use. Conclusions: Just over half of undergraduate students of Gulu University used condoms in their sexual encounters in the past six months. There should be heightened campaigns on condom use to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0710/3/3/12undergraduatescondom useassociated factorsUganda |
| spellingShingle | Brian Otim Jerom Okot Christine Nannungi Ritah Nantale Winnie Kibone Grace Madraa Christopher Okot Felix Bongomin Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda Venereology undergraduates condom use associated factors Uganda |
| title | Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda |
| title_full | Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda |
| title_short | Condom Use Rate and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Students of Gulu University, Uganda |
| title_sort | condom use rate and associated factors among undergraduate students of gulu university uganda |
| topic | undergraduates condom use associated factors Uganda |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2674-0710/3/3/12 |
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