Factors associated with inconsistent condom use in adolescents with negative or unknown HIV status in Northwest Cameroon

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the association between utilization of HIV testing and condom use amongst Cameroonian youth/adolescents who are not known to be HIV-infected. Background Worldwide, HIV is spreading most quickly amongst youth/adolescents. Between 44% and 82% of sexually active youth in Cameroon report inconsistent condom use. Data regarding utilization of HIV testing and condom use is lacking. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered to 431 youth ages 12-26 years in Cameroon from September to December 2011. Data on socio-demographics, sexual risk behaviors, self-reported HIV status, and condom use were collected. We compared rates of inconsistent condom use between those known HIV negative who utilized testing (HIV-N) versus those with unknown status due to unutilized testing (HIV-U). Inconsistent condom use was defined as responding “never,” “sometimes,” or “usually,” while consistent condom use was defined as responding “always” to questions regarding frequency of condom use. Generalized Estimating Equations were applied to assess the association between HIV testing and inconsistent condom use adjusting for other confounders. Results Of 414 eligible respondents, 205 were HIV-U and 209 HIV-N. HIV-U subjects were younger (mean age =16.4 vs. 17.9, p<0.001) and more likely to report living in an urban area (p=0.002) than HIV-N subjects. Seventy-two percent (137/191) of sexually active youth reported inconsistent condom use. After adjusting for potential confounders, HIV-U status [Odds Ratio (OR) =3.97, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) =1.68-6.01] was associated with inconsistent condom use. Similarly, female gender (OR=3.2, 95% CI=1.29-7.89) was associated with inconsistent condom use, while older age at sexual debut was associated with a decreased risk for inconsistent condom use (OR=0.67, 95% CI=0.56-0.81). Conclusion Cameroonian adolescents report high rates of inconsistent condom use which we found to be associated with self-reported unknown HIV status due to unutilized HIV testing. Successful HIV prevention programs among African youths/adolescents may benefit from expanded HIV testing programs.

Eliminating the high abortion related complications and deaths in Cameroon: the restrictive legal atmosphere on abortions is no acceptable excuse

“…Over 40% of pregnancies in Cameroon are unplanned and 63% of women wishing to avoid a pregnancy do not use a modern method of contraception [ 20 ]. Seventy two (72%) of sexually active youths do not use condoms consistently during [ 17 ]. Between 9 to 13% of all pregnancies in Cameroon are teenage pregnancies [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Subdissociative intranasal ketamine plus standard pain therapy versus standard pain therapy in the treatment of paediatric sickle cell disease vaso-occlusive crises in resource-limited settings: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Current and former personnel from MBH have successfully collaborated on numerous national and international research investigations. [62][63][64][65][66][67] The pre-existing infrastructure present at both sites, combined with personal knowledge and established relations between study sites, allows for study feasibility and anticipated success.…”

HIV incidence and predictors of inconsistent condom use among adult men enrolled into an HIV vaccine preparedness study, Rustenburg, South Africa

“…Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographics and HIV-risk behaviour) during the previous three months (S1–S6 Files) that asked about the following: total number of male and female partners, total number of new male and female partners, condom use with all partners and with new partners (never, sometimes, frequently, always), and self-reported history of symptoms of sexually transmitted infection (STI) (penile discharge, painful urination, dyspareunia or penile sores).We classified inconsistent condom use as never, frequently or sometimes using condoms with partners in the last three months, and consistent condom use as always using a condom with all partners [16, 17]. Clinicians conducted a genital exam; STIs were diagnosed syndromically and treated according to national guidelines.…”