Condoms Use Among Resident Students at the University Abdou Moumouni Campus in Niamey/Niger

Research Article

Austin J Public Health Epidemiol. 2014;1(1): 1002.

Condoms use among Resident Students at the University Abdou Moumouni Campus in Niamey/Niger

Mahamane Sanil LA1*, Jinson L2, Mahamadou Kamaye I3 and Djibo H4

1Department of Health Science, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, China

2Department of Gastroenterology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

3Intersectoral Coordination of the Fight against AIDS, Presidency of Niger Republic, Republic of Niger

4Department of Public Health, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, China

*Corresponding author: Mahamane Sanil LA, Department of Health Science, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Tongji Medical College, HUST Wuhan, China

Received: December 05, 2014; Accepted: January 27, 2014; Published: January 29, 2014

Abstract

We studied condoms use to promote sexual and reproductive health and prevention of STIs⁄ HIV⁄AIDS among resident students at university campus in Niamey. Through a cross–type prospective study made by using a questionnaire responded to voluntarily by 450, well informed students, living on university campus was done over a period of six months. The findings are 72% of respondents were under 25 years and 97.11% were single. 51.1% of the sample was sexually active and the average age of first sexual intercourse was 19.04 years. The prevalence of condom use was 58% and out of these, 37.5% were consistent users. The reasons for condom use were to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and STIs⁄HIV⁄AIDS in 62.85%, the protection from sexual diseases only in 20.95% and for contraception only in 16.19%. The main barriers to condom use were religion for 46.46%, the place of purchase for 23.77%, the social norms and values for 22.22% and the refusal of partner to 7.55%. The rate of HIV test was 58% and the rate of vaccination against hepatitis was 9.7%. The rate of good knowledge on contraception⁄STIs⁄ Condom⁄HIV⁄AIDS ranged from 60 to 90%. The study showed the importance of sex education for young people in schools and at home. There is need for a national drive to promote the sexual and reproductive health especially in youths, by providing an easy access to and proper use of reproductive and sexual health services. Also, the undisputed place of awareness and innovation in the prevention of STI⁄HIV⁄AIDS is by integrating the religious, socio–economic and cultural life dimensions as they are a key to a quick and efficient route to overcome the STIs⁄AIDS in the world.

Keywords: Resident Students; Condoms Use; Prevention; STIs⁄HIV⁄AIDS

Introduction

Since the appearance of the first case in the 1980s, the HIV⁄AIDS continue to gain momentum worldwide, especially in developing countries, mainly in sub–Saharan Africa [1]. Despite the commendable efforts of the international community through the WHO and UNAIDS and the enormous therapeutic advances through the largescale promotion of ARV associated with the diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections, much remains to be done to reduce the rate of mortality due to HIV⁄AIDS in the world [2,3]. At present, the wide spreading of AIDS in the world appears stationary because of change in status of the disease, which at the beginning was a deadly disease has now become a chronic disease due to improved longevity of people living with HIV. In this regard, in NIGER, the first case of AIDS was discovered in 1987 with an estimated 0.7% prevalence in the general population as of 2010, however, with disparities between the sexes, social classes, regions etc [4]. Thus, strategies through various structures such ULSS (Sector Control Unit Against AIDS), CISLS (Intersectoral Coordination of the Fight against AIDS) , CNLS (National Coordination of the Fight against AIDS), NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) and Civil Society structures, Technical Partners, the Ministry in charge of Public Health [5] have been developed within the framework of the Objectives of Millennium Health and the National Strategic Document to Fight against STIs⁄ HIV⁄AIDS [6].

In the absence of vaccine and a final cure to AIDS, prevention is presented as the best alternative to fight against AIDS. Thus prevention would be more effective and useful in poor countries where technical platforms to support patients living with HIV and AIDS (PHAs) are rare or absent in both clinically and through laboratory tests for routine diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring and follow up. Indeed, the onset of AIDS has been accompanied by a resurgence of diseases that were disappearing including some STIs (such as syphilis, gonorrhea) [7], tuberculosis and also the outbreak of diseases such as viral hepatitis and cancers that are hitherto unknown to the general public. The importance of condom use through a campaign of mass awareness and social marketing especially to youths remain the primary level of prevention in poor countries like ours. Condom use promotion can be done through a consistent supply and distribution of both male and female condoms the allocation of adequate financial and human resources to ensure the availability and access to good quality condomsthe promotion of correct and consistent condom use according to standards and culturally acceptable methods [8]. Thus, our study is to assess the conditions of condom use among students in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and STIs⁄HIV⁄AIDS to promote voluntary testing and making sure proper care and good patient’ life time.

General purpose

Contribute to the promotion of condom use to improve sexual and reproductive health and prevention of STI⁄HIV⁄AIDS among students.

Specific objectives

Measure the rate of condom use by students;

Assess the knowledge and attitudes of students towards STI ⁄ HIV ⁄ AIDS in particular and sexual reproductive Health in general;

Studying the determinants of condom use (distribution, barriers, benefits, proper use)

Evaluate the voluntary HIV testing and condom social marketing;

Assess the risks involved in unprotected sex and consequences;

Assess the implementation of the National Strategic Framework for the use of condoms;

Recommend wide and extensive promotion of sexual and reproductive health.

Methodology

Type of study

It is a descriptive cross–sectional study under single pass, carried forward under the CAP (Connaissances–Attitudes–Pratiques⁄ knowledge–attitudes–practices) model using a self–administered questionnaire about 450 observations complemented by sessions question⁄answer on the subject of the questionnaire study.

Duration of Study

The study was carried out over a period of six months (February to July) 2011.

Inclusion criteria

Being a student and reside on campus, agree to participate in the survey and fill in the questionnaire.

Non–inclusion criteria

Students and non–students who did not live on campus, refusal to participate in the investigation; partially completed the questionnaire.

Conduct of the study

This study involved the resident students on campus all ages and gender willing to participate in the study voluntarily motivated without being paid. We used interviews to inform and clarify the study goals and objectives to the participants. The questionnaire (confidential and anonymous) was then used as a technical tool for data collection and maintenance. Feedback question and answer sessions were held to answer supplementary questions arising on the subject matter. We conducted a door–to–door campaign in buildings A, B, J, K, H, E and also student groupings in the courtyard of the campus. Initially participants were asked to respond at their own time within 48 hours, but we realized that the approach was ineffective because the questionnaire was either lost or incorrectly filled. In response we changed the procedure to direct administering thus allow respondents to respond while you wait. This approach solved the problems of understanding some questions in questionnaire and document loss. It also created an opportunity for a richer question ⁄ answer sessions and information sharing for a long duration compared to previous indirect method. However this prolonged the time of information gathering.

Data Analysis

The data were processed with Word 2007, Excel 2007 and Epi Info version 3.5.1 software 2008.

Challenges and Constraints

Generally it was in the collection of field data that the major difficulties were encountered. Indeed, despite our effort to raise awareness by a good presentation (15–20 min) on our research topic many students refused to respond to the questionnaire citing lack of time due to examination preparation. Others felt that we were spying on their private life. Females particularly were reluctant to give true information about sexual life and some consistently rejected the idea of participation without any explanation. Some students partially responded to the questionnaire which forced us to invalidate them. All these factors delayed data collection and prolonged the survey. It took a lot of tact and patience to complete this step of study. Lack of financial resources also weighed heavily on the completion of fieldwork.

Result

It was found that the age group 18–24 years is the largest size thus 324 out of 450 with a high proportion in females group (129 out of 150), this would reflect the youthful nature of the study population, and the sex ratio is 2 (Table 1).