Patterns of condom use in a university student population residing in a high-risk area for HIV infection

Abstract

Objective

The study objective was to investigate factors associated with condom use among university students.

Methods

During the 2013–2014 academic year, 1017 first and fourth year students from the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, northern Kosovo, completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and risky behaviours.

Results

Condom use during the most recent sexual encounter and with casual partners was reported by just over half of participants. Factors associated with condom use during the most recent sexual encounter were: being male (35.1%), using medical sources of information about HIV (35.7%), having a positive approach to HIV testing (40.1%) and a positive attitude towards sex workers (17.7%), as well as not having had a sexually transmitted infection in the past year (54.2%). Factors associated with more frequent condom use with casual partners were: being single (28.9%), not living in a rented apartment or own home (32.1%), frequenting night clubs at the weekend (35.3%), not using drugs/opioids (54.1%), not being sure whether to keep a contact after learning of their HIV-positive status (10.1%), and having stronger opinions (either positive or negative) on homosexual individuals (15.5% and 32.1%, respectively), sex workers (18.7% and 23.9%, respectively) and drug users (13.2% and 36.5%, respectively).

Conclusion

Condom use among students in northern Kosovo was low. Strategies for HIV prevention should be focussed on promoting healthy behaviours, especially among female students and students who live alone while at university. Moreover, sexuality education should be carried out in schools and primary health care centres to provide support and enable young people to negotiate safe sex.

摘要

目的：调查大学生避孕套使用的相关因素。方法：2013-2014学年, 来自临时坐落在科索沃北部科索沃米特罗维察的普里什蒂纳大学1017名一年级和四年级学生, 完成了一份关于社会人口学数据、艾滋病毒相关知识、态度和危险行为的问卷。结果：仅超过半数的参与者报告在最近的性行为中和当时的性伴侣使用了避孕套。与最近一次性行为中使用避孕套有关的因素有：男性(35.1%), 有关艾滋病病毒的医学信息(35.7%), 对艾滋病检测持积极态度 (40.1%)和对性工作者持积极态度 (17.7%), 以及在过去一年中没有性传播疾病感染(54.2%)。与临时伴侣更频繁使用避孕套相关的因素有：单身(28.9%), 不住在租赁的公寓或自己的房子里(32.1%), 周末经常去夜总会(35.3%), 不使用毒品/阿片类药品(54.1%), 在得知自己的HIV阳性状况后不确定是否保持联系(10.1%), 对同性恋者有较强的看法(分别为15.5%和32.1%), 性工作者(18.7%和22%)。和吸毒者(分别为13.2%和36.5%)。结论：科索沃北部学生安全套使用率较低。预防艾滋病毒的战略应侧重于促进健康行为, 特别是在女学生和大学期间独居的学生中。此外, 还应在学校和基层保健中心开展性教育, 提供支持, 让青少年能够进行安全的性行为。

Keywords:

• Condom use
• HIV
• knowledge
• Kosovo
• students

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted in the framework of Marija Milic’s PhD thesis in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, Serbia, under the guidance of Professor Jasmina Stevanovic. We are grateful to all the students who participated in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).