Reasons for non-use of condoms in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract

This paper aims to determine why sexually experienced males and females from multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa do not use condoms. The authors used data from sample surveys conducted in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Respondents were asked about their use of condoms and their reasons for not using a condom in last sex with a marital a regular (nonmarital) or casual partner. Respondents reasons for not using a condom are shown by type of partner and by gender. Males and females most frequently reported trusting their partner as the main reason for not using a condom in last sex with a marital or a regular (nonmarital) partner. This suggests that low personal risk perception is the most important reason for not using a condom with a marital or a regular partner. A dislike of condoms is the most frequently cited reason for not using a condom with a casual partner. Respondents rarely cited the price of condoms as a barrier to condom use. Lack of condom availability was also rarely cited as a reason for not using a condom except to some degree by males in casual partnerships. The latter may be because of the unplanned nature of casual sex activity rather than because condoms are not available. Behavior change campaigns encouraging sexually experienced people to accurately assess their personal risk of acquiring HIV should be complemented with marketing campaigns emphasizing the positive attributes of condoms. (authors)