Abstract:
Background: Despite condom accessibility and its promotion for the use in the prevention of
STIs, the consistent use of condom is still too low in Ethiopia. A considerable proportion of
Ethiopian military staff had multiple sexual partners with lower levels of condom utilization
with non-regular sexual partners.
Objective: to assess consistent condom utilization and associated factors among sexually
active Military personnel in Eastern Ethiopia from February 1 to 30, 2020.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 randomly selected sexually active
military personnel of eastern command. A pretested and structured questionnaire was used to
collect information on socio-demographic, sexual and behavioral related factors, and condom
utilization. Data were described using frequency and percentage. Bivariate and multivariable
logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with condom
utilization and the strength of association was measured using odds ratio and 95% confidence
interval, and P-value less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant.
Result: The overall prevalence of consistent condom use over one year by the respondents
was 59.9%(95%CI: 54, 65). Study participants with age of 30-35 years (AOR=3.12; 95%CI:
1.43,11.38), above 35 years (AOR=2.42; 95%CI: 1.83,9.30), college and above in educational
status (AOR=1.52; 95%CI: 1.20,5.43), Officer in military rank (AOR=3.12; 95%CI: 1.14,
10.15) and other ranks (Crop, Sergent, Leftenant and Captain) (AOR=3.08; 2.33, 8.52) were
factors facilitate the use of condom consistently. However, being female in gender
(AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.17, 0.92), having negative attitude (AOR=0.52,95%CI:0.06,0.97),
alcohol consumer/drunker (AOR=0.47; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.71) and married in marital status
(AOR=0.22; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.91) were less likely to use condom consistently.
Conclusion: The study reported that a considerable proportion of inconsistent condom
utilization. Eastern command health bureau and other concerned bodies should work on the
appropriate strategies to improve consistent condom utilization among military staff’.
