Evaluating the sexual behaviour, barriers to condom use and its actual use by university students in Nigeria

Abstract

This research quantified the barriers to condom use of a sample of university students in Nigeria. It further analyzed association between condom use at last intercourse and the barriers, in addition to HIV risk sexual practices. A total of 96 women and 128 men were randomly selected, and they completed a survey. Results indicated both men and women reported that condoms hindered their sexual satisfaction, caused health problems for them and reduced their sexual interest. The findings also showed that obtaining condoms from clinics and perception that condoms do not cause health problems predicted the likelihood of condom use for both sexes. In addition, the results indicated that obtaining first time information from family members or relatives predicted the likelihood of condom use for women. It was recommended that intervention efforts should make condoms freely available in tertiary institutions, and such interventions should be tailored to overcome the relevant barriers that interfere with condom use for both the women and men.

Notes

A report on previous use of condoms is an inclusion criterion for participation in the study. Having used condoms would allow respondents to provide first-hand information about obstacles associated with condom use in actual sexual experiences. Thus, this condition enhances accuracy of reporting about barriers to condom use.