CONDOM UTILIZATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN GAMBELLA TOWN, GAMBELLA SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA 2022. HEALTH BELIEF MODEL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: AIDS is a major public health and social issue that affects people all over the world. The major transmission way of HIV in developing countries is through heterosexual intercourse. Consistent use of condom during sexual intercourse reduces the risk of HIV transmission. Despite HIV prevalence is high in Gambella region; there is lack of evidence on the condom utilization behavior of college students. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the magnitude of condom utilization and its associated factors among college students in Gambella Town. Objective: To determine magnitude of condom utilization and its associated factors among college students using health belief model in Gambella town, south west Ethiopia 2022. Method: An institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 407 college students in Gambella town, south west, Ethiopia from May 08 – June 30 /2022. Proportional allocation to each college and then simple random sampling technique was employed to select participants. Data was collected using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data was entered in to Epidata version 4.6 software and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with condom utilization to prevent HIV infection. The statistical significance was considered at a p-value <0.05 and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was calculated to determine the strength of the association. Result: A total of 400 students participate in the study with response rate of 400 (98.28%). The respondent’s age ranged from 18-31 with mean age of = 22.19 (± 2.81). Out of 400 respondents 323 (81.25%) students were engaged in sexual intercourse. The magnitude of condom utilization in the study was n (66.25%) with 95%CI (61.0, 71.5). Sex (male) AOR=2.21, 95% CI (2.23, 3.707), low Perceived barrier AOR=2.94, 95% CI (1.66, 5.2) and good knowledge of condom utilization of respondent AOR= 3.22, 95% CI (1.67, 6.17) were significantly associated with condom utilization. Conclusion: The overall magnitude of condom utilization was high. Sex, knowledge and perceived barrier were significantly associated with condom utilization. Therefore it’s important to reduce barrier and improving prevention practice. Key words: condom utilization, college students, Gambella, Health belief model