Knowledge of Correct Condom Use and Consistency of Use among Adolescents in Four Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Using data from the 2004 National Adolescent Surveys, this paper undertook a detail analysis of knowledge of correct condom use and consistency of use, as well as their covariates, among adolescents in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda. The strongest predictor of knowledge of correct condom use among both male and female adolescents is exposure to a condom use demonstration. In Burkina Faso, Ghana and Uganda, adolescents who have seen a condom demonstration are 2 to 5 times as likely as those who have not to have good knowledge of correct condom use. Age, ever received sex education in school, ever attended school and exposure to the radio are also significant predictors of knowledge of correct use, particularly among men. As indicated by behavior among young men, the extent to which adolescents use the condom consistently varies across countries. Yet, it is nowhere near the required 100% level. The proportion reporting consistent use of the method in the 3 months preceding the survey is 38% in Burkina Faso, 47% in Ghana, 20% in Malawi and 36% in Uganda. Age difference between partners is a major determinant of consistent use of condoms: young men whose partner is 0-4 years younger are about two and a half times more likely to use condoms consistently than those who whose partner is 5-9 years younger. Other important predictors of consistent condom use are residence, education, living arrangement and exposure to mass media, specifically the radio and newspaper. Findings from this study point to areas that policy and program can address to provide adolescents access to the kinds of information and service they need to achieve healthy sexual and reproductive lives.

Pattern, Types and Predictors of Contraception among Female In-School and Out-of-School Adolescents in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria

“…and such youths in Sub-Saharan Africa still engage in risky sexual behavior. Studies have also documented that young people have concerns about condom safety and breakage, condom ineffectiveness, the negative effect of condom use on sexual enjoyment, the low quality of condoms especially those that are free and condom use signifying infidelity or having an STI [20]- [23]. The above results/findings call for a well-organized information, education and communication through peers to bring about behavioral change.…”

Condoms in sub-Saharan Africa

“…High levels of media penetration have been associated with emerging cultures of risk prevention through condoms among youth in South Africa, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi and Uganda. 49,136 However, Eaton et al, 63 based on their work in South Africa, caution that media messages may be confusing and difficult to understand. In cultures where sex is not in the popular domain of discourse or communication, and different ethnic groups each have their own way of speaking about sexuality and condom use, it is difficult to craft messages that are readily and uniformly understood.…”

Factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the Capricorn district of the Limpopo Province

“…Most adolescents lack information on sexuality and contraception, as most of the education that is presented on this matter is limited (Arai 2003;Bankole, Ahmed, Ouedraogo, Neema & Konyani 2007). The study by Kaufman, De Wet and Stadler (2001) indicated that there was a slightly lower level of knowledge about modern methods of contraception amongst teenagers.…”

“…Morake (2011) indicated that in the reports of the Department of Health of the Limpopo Province, adolescents were reportedly not good contraceptive users, because they might not admit to being sexually active. Other studies reported that adolescents had inaccurate knowledge on the use of contraceptive (Bankole et al 2007). …”