Determinants of condom use among selected migrant commercial farm workers in South Africa

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that HIV prevalence rates are relatively high while condom use is low in migrant communities in South Africa. Using data from the Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance Survey implemented by the International Organisation for Migration in 2010 among farm workers, this study seeks to investigate factors associated with condom use among migrant men and women in selected commercial farms in two provinces of South Africa. The study analysed 943 sexually active non-South Africans working in selected farms. Data analysis was undertaken at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels using logistic regression producing odds ratios to examine the associations at 5% level of significance. The results showed that access to free condoms, financial stability and staying away from spouse increased the odds of condom use among migrant farm workers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Amongst men being financially stable and having access to free condoms significantly increased the odds of using condoms. Amongst women being married reduced the odds of using condoms while access to free condoms and living away from spouse significantly increased condom use. Determinants of condom use vary between male and female migrants. HIV prevention policies and programmes targeting migrant farm workers should be gender sensitive. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 13-26).

Keywords: HIV prevention, migrant labour, risky behaviour, vulnerabilities