| Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest regional HIV prevalence rate of all age groups. (UNAIDS, 2013). Reducing the spread of HIV infection is a top priority for militaries. Effective military focused HIV prevention intervention is needed to inform existing programs, identify areas that needs readjustment in the existing program and develop new behavioral HIV prevention intervention. Prophylactic properties of condom makes it highly effective against HIV. However, few studies have looked at perceived risk of HIV infection as it relates to condom use in the military population. This aim of this study is to examine the relationship between HIV risk perception and condom use controlling stepwise for age, number of life time sexual partners, having multiple partner per week, education attainment, marital status and HIV knowledge in a Sub-Saharan African military population. Analyses were based on 1153 military personnel, aged 18-90, who completed a cross sectional survey that collected baseline data for estimating the prevalence of HIV and other behavioral risks. Results showed that 68.74% reported using condoms always and almost always and 31.26% used condoms sometimes, rarely and never. Condoms use varied by self-reported HIV risk perception and it was higher among those who perceived themselves as not likely to acquire HIV. HIV perception risk was not significantly associated with condom use. Number of life time sexual partner, age and marital status were significantly associated with condom use. After adjustment for marital status and number of life time sexual partner, those who are already HIV positive are 4.1 (OR - 4.055, 95% CI - 1.088 -15.112) times more likely to use condoms always/almost always than those who perceive themselves as not at all likely to acquire HIV. Given the national security implication of HIV, consistent condom use should be promoted among those who are married, older and those with more than 1 lifetime sexual partner. The findings from this study also suggest the need for continuous promotion of safe sexual practices among those who are living with HIV. |
