Factors associated with condom use: economic security and positive prevention among people living with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean

Abstract

In the Caribbean region, an estimated 1.1% of the population aged 15–49 is living with HIV. We aimed to measure factors associated with condom use, the primary form of positive prevention in the Caribbean, among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in its major agency advocating on behalf of PLHIV (the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, or CRN + ).

Condom use at last sex was selected for analysis from a broad-ranging cross-sectional survey (n=394) among PLHIV who were members of or received services from CRN+ in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago. PLHIV from CRN+ traced potential participants, administered informed consent procedures and carried out structured interviews.

Fifty-four percent of respondents reported using a condom the last time they had sex. Condom use was positively associated with partner being HIV negative, disclosure of HIV status, alcohol use, economic security, education level and being employed. Multivariate logistic regression found independent associations between condom use and economic security (p=0.031; odds ratio (OR) for “enough” income 5.06; 95% CI 1.47–17.39), partner being HIV negative (p=0.036; OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.28–6.33) and being married (p=0.043; OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.03–7.91). Seventy-three percent of respondents reported inadequate family income, 26% reported an HIV-negative partner and 9% were married.

Condom use appears to be motivated by protection of HIV-negative partners and spouses. Low socioeconomic status is associated with the overall percentage using condoms. Restriction to members of CRN+ limits generalisability of the findings. Nevertheless, the findings support the view that programmes for the socioeconomic empowerment of PLHIV are needed to slow the Caribbean HIV epidemic. Expectations for protection of different types of partners should be further explored in order to develop culturally appropriate interventions with couples.

Keywords:

• condoms
• positive prevention
• economic factors
• Caribbean region
• people living with HIV

Notes

1. A visiting partner was defined as one who was a regular (as opposed to a casual) partner but was not co-resident.