Predictors of condom use among unmarried sexually active women of reproductive age in Tanzania
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Date
2022-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
National Institute of Medical Research
Abstract
Background: Condom is one of the methods for prevention against Human Immunodeficiency Virus
and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. It is also considered an effective method for preventing
unwanted pregnancies. Despite the several interventions that have been put to promote condom
use, still, a large proportion of women do not use condoms during sexual intercourse.
Objectives: This study aimed at determining predictors of condom use among unmarried sexually
active women of reproductive age in Tanzania.
Methods: This study used secondary data from the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey
and Malaria Indicator Survey (2015-16 TDHS-MIS). It involved unmarried sexually active women aged
15-49 years. Multiple binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors for condom use at
last sexual intercourse.
Results: Overall, a lower proportion (31.1%) of unmarried sexually active women used condoms at last
sexual intercourse. The odds of using condoms during last sexual intercourse were lower for older
women (aOR=0.67 and aOR=0.65 for women aged 20-24 and 25+ years respectively). Women who
reported higher age (18+ years) at first sex had higher odds (aOR=1.65) of using condoms compared
to those who started having sex before 15 years old. Women from rich households (aOR=1.5) and
those owning phones (aOR=1.44) had higher odds using condoms at their last sexual intercourse.
Also, higher odds of using condoms were observed for women in the Southern, South West
highlands, and Eastern zones compared to the Central zone.
Conclusion: The level of condom use among unmarried women in Tanzania is very low and varies by
age, age at sex intercourse, household wealth index status, ownership of a phone and domicile
zones. Targeted interventions are needed to promote condom use among unmarried women to
mitigate the risk of HIV and unintended pregnancies.
Description
Keywords
Condom use; Unmarried; sexually active women; reproductive age; Tanzania
Citation
Mbotwa, C. H., Moshi, F. V., Mosha, I. H., Kibona, S. E., & Ezekiel, M. J. (2022). Predictors of condom use among unmarried sexually active women of reproductive age in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 23(2), 1-11.