Condom Use among HIV-Infected Patients after Initiation of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART): A Cross Sectional Hospital Based Survey

Abstract

Background: The use of anti-retroviral treatment has transformed AIDS into a chronic disease with a growing burden on the fragile public health system in the Nigeria. Pattern of condom use can act as a surrogate on the impact of counseling on HIV patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to document the pattern of condom use among HIV positive patients on HARRT attending a tertiary hospital in Enugu.

Methods: Consecutive consenting patients presenting at the ART-clinic of Enugu State University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane were interviewed. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Results: A total of 207patients were interviewed during the study. Twenty-three (11.1%) abstained from sexual intercourse after counselling, 113(61.4%) used condoms consistently while the rest 71(31%) did not use it or used it inconsistently. Patients with primary school education (85.4%) had the highest rate of consistent condom use. Condom use after counselling positively correlated with age (r=0, 17, p= 0.01) and negatively with initial CD4 count levels (r =-0.16, p=0.02) and lack of prior knowledge of the benefits of condom in HIV/AIDS prevention.

Conclusions: After counselling on condom use, about 31% of patients attending ART center in Enugu did not use condom or used it inconsistently. Condom use positively correlated with age and negatively with initial CD4 count levels and lack of knowledge of the benefits of condom in HIV/AIDS prevention.