Condom Knowledge, Perceptions and Covariates of Use among Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa

Akinrinola Bankole, The Alan Guttmacher Institute
Stella Neema, Makerere Institute of Social Research
Alister Munthali, University of Malawi
Christine Ouedraogo, Unité d' Enseignement et de Recherche en Démographie (UERD)
Vanessa Woog, The Alan Guttmacher Institute

HIV/AIDS is increasingly affecting youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. For young people who are sexually active, the condom, when used correctly and consistently, is the only method that offers protection against HIV. Despite extensive efforts in promoting condom use, young people still engage in risky sexual behaviors and condom use remains low. Using quantitative and qualitative data collected in 2003-2004 among 12-19 year olds in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi, we examine: 1) condom knowledge and use, including the consistency of use and problems experienced; 2) covariates of condom use (including alcohol use, relationship duration and transactional sex); and 3) how young people’s perceptions about condoms may impede or promote the actual use of condoms. Given the increasing vulnerability of young people to HIV, it is of program and policy relevance to better understand young people’s protective behaviors in order to help young people lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives.