Uptake of condoms for dual protection among youth aged 15-24 years in Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District

Abstract

Introduction: Uptake of condoms among the youth in Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District is not known despite the use of community health workers/VHTs to provide condoms, reproductive health education, free family planning as well as youth friendly services as key interventions to promote access among underserved populations in the district. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the level of uptake of condoms and the factors associated with uptake of condoms among the youth in the Municipality. Methods: A cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative methods was used in which 390 youth were randomly selected and interviewed about their status of condom use and the factors influencing use in the last 12 month prior to the study using a an interviewer guided questionnaire. Four FGDs with the youth and three KIIs with persons directly involved in the provision of youth sexual and reproductive services were conducted to collect qualitative data. Data was analysed using SPSS 17 and a binary logistic regression was performed to identify the factors influencing/associated with condom uptake among the youth in Fort Portal Municipality. Qualitative data was done manually by coding the responses into sub themes and themes. Content analysis was used to come up with emerging themes relevant to answer the factors influencing uptake of condoms. Some of the quotes were reported verbatim to give exact meaning. The findings were presented together with quantitative results. Results: Thirty Seven percent (37%) reported condom use during the last sexual encounter in the last 12 months prior to the study. Having a maximum of primary level education (AOR =0.19, 95% CI = 0.049-0.75, P-value =0.017), accessing condoms within less than 1km distance from the condom serving centres (AOR = 6.12, 95% CI: 1.37-27.29, P-value = 0.018), partner support (AOR = 5.23, 95% CI: 1.54-17.80, P –value =0.008) and having satisfactory knowledge on uses and how to use condoms (AOR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.8-12.31, P-value = 0.011) were the factors that were independently associated with condom use in Fort Portal Municipality. Conclusions: There is need to continue offering appropriate information on uses and how to use condoms to out of school youth and incorporate sexuality education and life skills education in the lower school curriculum to in school youth as it is through these, that youth are introduced to condom use for dual protection. Secondly, more youth friendly corners/distribution posts that are well stocked should be created so that they can easily access the condoms.