Factors Associated with Condom Use among Sexually Active Students of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

Self-reported sexual behaviour and condom use of 293 sexually active students in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania were studied for their relationship with attitude toward condom and other related factors. The subjects were 187 male and 106 female students in secondary schools and colleges between 16 and 24 years old. Self-administered questionnaire was taken in their classrooms in 1996. Among the sexually debuted students, 24% male and 17% of female students had multiple sex partners at the study time, and 30% and 27% respectively had multiple sex partners during the past one year. Although most students knew that condoms prevent sexually transmitted HIV and 70% believe in effectiveness of condom, however only 46% of them use condom consistently and 85% answered that condom is not reliable to prevent HIV/AIDS. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that belief in effectiveness of condom in preventing sexual transmission of HIV was positively associated with condom use (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.43-4.70) while belief that condom can bring disease was negatively associated with condom use (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29-0.82). Based on these findings, possible ways of promoting condom use in school education are discussed. The messages should focus on adolescent's beliefs concerning condom use.