Sexual behaviour and condom use among university students in Madagascar

Abstract

Although the number of known HIV-infected students in Madagascar increased significantly between 1989 and 1995, very little is known about student behaviour with regard to AIDS. The study objectives were: to describe Malagasy students' sexual behaviour and condom use; to document students' perceptions about condoms; and to study the relationships between students' socio-demographic characteristics, their perceptions about condoms, and their condom use. The survey used a cross-sectional design and was conducted at the Antananarivo's university campus sites. Anonymous questionnaires were self-administered to 320 randomly selected students.Descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Logistic regressions were performed to identify the predictors of condom use. Participants' average age was 24 years. Approximately 80% of the participants reported sexual experiences, and the average age at sexual debut was 19 years. Only 5.7% reported consistent condom use. Common reasons for non-use were steady relationships (75.6%), the perception that condoms were useful only during ovulation periods (8.7%), and the decrease of pleasure (6.4%). The predictors of condom use were male gender, and the perception that condoms were useful during ovulation periods.Risky sexual behaviours with regard to AIDS were prevalent in this community. An HIV prevention programme is recommended. Keywords: Sexual behaviour, condoms, HIV, students, Madagascar. RésuméBien que le nombre connu des étudiants malgaches infectés par le VIH ait largement augmenté entre 1989 et 1995, l'information sur le comportement des étudiants par rapport au SIDA est très limitée. Les objectifs de cette étude furent: 1) décrire le comportement sexuel des étudiants malgaches et l'utilisation du préservatif, 2) documenter les perceptions des étudiants envers les préservatifs, 3) examiner dans quelle mesure l'utilisation du préservatif par les étudiants varie en fonction de leurs caractéristiques sociodémographiques et leurs perceptions envers les préservatifs. Cette étude a été menée dans les sites du campus universitaire d' Antananarivo en utilisant un devis transversal. Un questionnaire anonyme a été auto-administré à 320 étudiants sélectionnés au hasard. Des statistiques descriptives et intervalles de confiance à 95% ont été calculés. La régression logistique a été utilisée pour identifier les déterminants de l'utilisation du préservatif. La moyenne d'âge des participants était de 24 ans. Environ 80% des répondants ont signalé avoir eu des rapports sexuels et l'âge moyen de premiers rapports était de 19 ans. Seulement 5,7% ont rapporté l'utilisation systématique du préservatif. Les raisons de non utilisation furent les suivantes : être dans une relation stable (75,6%), la perception que le préservatif est uniquement utile durant la période d' ovulation (8,7%) et la réduction du plaisir (6,4%). Le genre masculin et l'argument d' ovulation ont été identifiés comme prédicteurs d'utilisation de préservatifs. Les comportements sexuels à risque...

Covariates of condom use in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey in 2008

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Mental health correlates of HIV risk behaviour and STIs/HIV infection among university students from 22 low, middle and high income countries

“…The diagnosis and experience of HIV may be traumatic (Sherr et al, 2011). The study found a high prevalence of HIV risk behaviour (multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use), which conforms with previous studies in university students (Heeren et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2014;Ngatu et al, 2012;Rahamefy et al, 2008). This fi nding calls for HIV prevention intervention programmes among university students in the study country regions with higher HIV risk behaviour, including the Caribbean, South America, continental sub-Saharan countries and Russia.…”

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Sexual behaviour, contraceptive knowledge and use among female undergraduates’ students of Muhimbili and Dar es Salaam Universities, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

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