Sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District, Uganda

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a significant source of income for tens of millions of people worldwide. Consistent condom use  is pivotal in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. This study assessed sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent  condom use among young male artisanal miners in Kassanda District, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 304 miners  aged 15-24 years. Data -analysis included frequency distributions, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression. 89% had sexual  intercourse in the past year, 55% had multiple partners, 11% engaged in transactional sex, and only 42% used condoms consistently.  Married/cohabiting young men (OR=0.41; CI=0.19-0.87), those with a neutral attitude towards condom use (OR=0.30; CI=0.11-0.85), and  those with only their mothers as parents (OR=0.37; CI=0.19-0.73) were less likely to use condoms consistently. The study highlights the  need for targeted interventions promoting condom use among married young men and those raised by single mothers to reduce the risk  of STI transmission.