Knowledge, attitude and practices of Condom Use Among Youth Aged 16 - 34 Years in Adjumani Town Council, Adjumani District, Uganda.

Abstract

Condoms have played a key role in the successful nation HIV/AIDS prevention programs, yet despite the clear public health benefits, condom use is still low in many countries. Young people aged between 15 to 35 years are both threatened globally, accounting for half of all new cases of HIV and the greatest hope of turning the tide against AIDS, significant proportions of the population particularly the youth are at risk of HIV infection despite high levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and condom use. This study aimed at finding out the knowledge, attitude, and practice of condom use among the youths aged (16 – 34 years ) for the last five years between the periods 2009 – 2014 using Adjumani Town Council, Adjumani District, of West Nile Sub-Region as a case study. A descriptive cross section study was employed. Semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaire methods were mainly used to collect data from One Hundred Fifty (150) youths. Data was analyzed using the descriptive techniques; in doing so tables, percentages and charts were used. The survey revealed that majority of respondents had sexual intercourse in their lives, this response was attributed to majority being in a sexually active reproductive age group 21-25 years and they were either experimenting sexually due to peer pressure. It emerged that majority had it under influence of alcohol. When probed further, majority had 3-5 causal sexual partners. In order to test respondents' knowledge on condom usage; majority did not use condoms because they were drunk at the time of sex. Excessive alcohol consumption was the major limitation in condom usage among respondents and their partners, among others respectively. It came up with practical actions on how to overcome the above mentioned challenges like creating demand, increasing supply and availability, ensuring high quality and low costs addressing acceptability, and conducting monitoring and evaluation. It was concluded that demand for condoms exceeds availability; only a quarter of the total number of male condoms need is available. Female condoms are even less available due primarily to high cost and policymaker bias. Greater international funding and support for both male and female condoms must be increased to reduce the current gap and meet future needs.