CONSISTENT CONDOM UTILIZATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG SEXUALLY ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL IN EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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’.