Assessment of Awareness and Compliance with the Use of Condoms Among Adolescents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Okoronkwo Ngozi A. PhD; Adje U David PhD; Osirim Monday PhD; FCA; Corresponding author

doi:10.56201/ijhpr.vol.11.no8.2026.pg1.11

📄 Download Paper

Assessment of Awareness and Compliance with the Use of Condoms Among Adolescents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Okoronkwo Ngozi A. PhD, Adje U David PhD, and Osirim Monday PhD,FCA, Corresponding author

Abstract

Background: The use of condom is an important strategy for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections , including HIV. Other than sexual abstinence, it is the most reliable method, for the prevention of STIs. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness and compliance with use of condom among adolescents and explore facilitators and barriers to the use of condom in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria. Methodology: A 28 item self-administered pre-tested questionnaire assessing awareness, attitude, availability, accessibility, and use of condoms was administered to 200 students randomly selected from six communities, four secondary and two post-secondary schools in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State. The questionnaire was administered to 40 students each and 30students each from two post- secondary schools and four secondary schools respectively. Responses were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed with instant version 2.05 Categorical data was expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: The modal age group was 15-16 years (41.2%). About half, 42.1% indicated they have no partner and therefore were not sexually active. Majority, 92 (60%) were aware of the benefits of condom use but only 45 (30%) admitted ever using condoms. Prevention of STD/HIV/Pregnancy was the most common reason for using condom. There was evidence of inconsistent use of condom. Majority, 92(60%) reported that condoms were readily available and 78(51.6%) were of the opinion that condoms were affordable. More than one quarter 54(35.5%) correctly perceived the risk of not condom to be high. The most common reason for not using condom were trust of partner (27%) followed by those who never had sex (25%) and not interested in contraception (4%). Conclusion: Awareness of the benefits of using condoms and knowledge of condom use was adequate but condom use was inconsistent among adolescents surveyed. Although attitude towards condom use was large, more than half of the respondents were afraid to purchase condoms openly. The major reasons for not using condoms were trust in partner and a lack of sexual pleasure. Of those who were not presently using condoms, one quarter indicated intention to use them within the next 6 months. Recommendations: There is urgent need for a collaborative approach to be adopted involving religious, community leaders and teachers in delivering culturally appropriate reproductive and sexual health messages or sensitization to adolescents on the benefits of the use of condoms during sexual intercourse and the consequences of unprotected sex without the use of condoms. Key words: compliance, condom, adolescents, sexual intercourse, risky behavior, HIV/AIDS

Keywords

compliancecondomadolescentssexual intercourserisky behaviorHIV/AIDS

References

1. Cort DA, Reynolds K, Chakraborty D. HIV stigma beliefs and unprotected sex among teenagers and young adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: The moderating role of mass media exposure. Soc Sci Med. 2023 Jan; 317:115615. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115615. Epub 2022 Dec 10. PMID: 36527896. 2. National Population Commission (1999), Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey 3. Harold, I., & O. Sekoni, O. (2023). Factors Associated with Early Sexual Debut Senior Secondary School Students in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Reports in Gynaecology, 6(1), 10–23. Retrieved from https://journalijrrgy.com/index.php/IJRRGY/article/view/79 4. Alawode, O.A.; Ogunwemimo, H.; Bolorunduro, M.-E.; Awoleye, A.F. Age at Sexual Debut and Multiple Sexual Partnerships among Adolescents in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Mediating Role of the Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Adolescents 2021, 1, 421-432. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents1040032 5. Semwogerere, M., Dear, N., Tunnage, J. et al. Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among care-seeking adults in the African Cohort Study. BMC Public Health 21, 738 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10762-4 6. Onovo AA, Adeyemi A, Onime D, Kalnoky M, Kagniniwa B, Dessie M, Lee L, Parrish D, Adebobola B, Ashefor G, Ogorry O, Goldstein R, Meri H. Estimation of HIV prevalence and burden in Nigeria: a Bayesian predictive modelling study. EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Jul 20; 62:102098. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102098. PMID: 37538543; PMCID: PMC10393599. 7. Stover J, Teng Y. The impact of condom use on the HIV epidemic. Gates Open Res. 2022 Feb 11; 5:91. doi: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13278.2. PMCID: PMC8933340. 8. Gbogbolu, A., Nketiah-Amponsah, E. Individual risk preference as a predictor of health behaviour: evidence from the use of condoms against HIV/AIDS in Ghana. BMC Public Health 23, 1657 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16579-7 9. ALADE, Adedimeji Adebola. (2023, June 19). Sexually, transmitted infections: prevalence, behavioural patterns and coping strategies among adolescents in Oyo state, Nigeria. CODESRIA Books Publication System. CODESRIA 10. Simelane MS, Chemhaka GB, Shabalala FS, Simelane PT, Vilakati Z. Prevalence and determinants of inconsistent condom use among unmarried sexually active youth. a secondary analysis of the 2016-2017 Eswatini HIV incidence measurement survey. Afri Health Sci 2023;23(1):400-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i1.42 11. Olarinwa OA, Ajayi KV, Sah RK. Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022 Mar 21; 2(3):e0000223. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000223. PMID: 36962299; PMCID: PMC10021623. 12. Cegolon L, Bortolotto M, Bellizzi S, Cegolon A, Bubbico L, Pichierri G, Mastrangelo G, Xodo C. A Survey on Knowledge, Prevention, and Occurrence of Sexually Transmitted Infections among freshmen from Four Italian Universities. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 14; 19(2):897. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19020897. PMID: 35055720; PMCID: PMC8776027. 13. Osotimehin B. O., Dare O. O.,Ojenjegbede O., Akinkoye O. (1996), Adolescent Reproductive Health Programme, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Phase One Report Submitted to the Population Programme, Mac Arthur Foundation, Chikago, USA 14. Davids, E.L., Zembe, Y., de Vries, P.J. et al. Exploring condom use decision-making among adolescents: the synergistic role of affective and rational processes. BMC Public Health 21, 1894 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11926-y 15. Brakman, A., Borzutzky, C., Carey, S., Kang, M., Mullins, T. K., Peter, N., Shafii, T., & Straub, D. M. (2017). Condom availability in schools: A practical approach to the prevention of sexually transmitted infection/HIV and unintended pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(6), 754–757.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.03.019. 16. Joffe A. Adolescents and Condom Use. Am J Dis Child. 1993;147(7):746–754. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1993.0216031004801 17. Abraha G Silassie1, Mussie W Giorgis1, Negasi Kahsay1, Yirgalem Fisaha1, Znalem Zerihun1, Kidane Tadesse1, Hadgu Gerensea2* and Patricia Malloy3 Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Condom Utilization among Axum Preparatory School Students J AIDS Clin Res 2016, 7:4 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000560 18. Yosef T, Nigussie T. Behavioral Profiles and Attitude toward Condom Use among College Students in Southwest Ethiopia. Biomed Res Int. 2020 Sep 23; 2020:9582139. doi: 10.1155/2020/9582139. PMID: 33029533; PMCID: PMC7532416. 19. Yélian Adohinzin CC, Méda N, Gaston Belem AM, Ouédraogo GA, Berthé A, Sombié I, Avimadjenon GD, Diallo I, Fond-Harmant L. Utilisation du préservatif masculin : connaissances, attitudes et compétences de jeunes burkinabè [Knowledge, attitudes and condom use skills among youth in Burkina Faso]. Sante Publique. 2017 Mar 6; 29(1):95- 103. French. PMID: 28737332. 20. Tewodros Yosef1, Tadesse Nigussie Behavioral Profiles And Attitude Toward Condom Use Among College Students In Southwest Ethiopia Biomed research journal olume 2020 | Article ID 9582139 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9582139 21. Wendy M. Geringer, Suzanne Marks, Winston J. Allen and Kay A. Armstrong- Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Related to Condom Use and STDs in a High Risk Population. The Journal of Sex Research Vol. 30, No. 1 (Feb., 1993), pp. 75-83 (9 pages) 22. Sweat MD, Yeh T, Kennedy C, O'Reilly K, Armstrong K, Fonner V. Condom Social Marketing Effects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review Update, 1990 to 2019. Am J Health Promot. 2020 Jan; 34(1):91-95. doi: 10.1177/0890117119864921. Epub 2019 Jul 23. PMID: 31337242; PMCID: PMC6927251 23. Olson, D. J., Purdy, C., Harrington, R., Marun, D., & Garcia, J. E. (2022). How Social Marketing Contributed to Expanding Size of Overall Condom Markets in Ethiopia, Brazil, and Indonesia. Social Marketing Quarterly, 28(2), 91-108. https://doi.org/10.1177/15245004221077965 24. Beaulieu D, Bradet R, Godin G. Etude de l'importance des obstacles à l'achat de condoms [Important obstacles in the buying of condoms]. Can J Public Health. 1994 Jul-Aug; 85(4):231-3. French. PMID: 7987743. 25. McCool-Myers M, Myo A, Carter JA. Barriers to Purchasing Condoms in a High HIV/STI-Risk Urban Area. J Community Health. 2019 Aug; 44(4):836-843. doi: 10.1007/s10900-019-00670-5. PMID: 31055703 26. Hamidi, A., Regmi, P. & van Teijlingen, E. Facilitators and barriers to condom use in Middle East and North Africa: a systematic review. J Public Health (Berl.) (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-01923-3 27. Brown LK, Diclemente RJ, Park T. Predictors of condom use in sexually active adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 1992 Dec; 13(8):651-7. doi: 10.1016/1054-139x (92)90058-j. PMID: 1290763. 28. Brown LK, DiClemente R, Crosby R, Fernandez MI, Pugatch D, Cohn S, Lescano C, Royal S, Murphy JR, Silver B, Schlenger WE; Project Shield Study Group. Condom use among high-risk adolescents: anticipation of partner disapproval and less pleasure associated with not using condoms. Public Health Rep. 2008 Sep-Oct; 123(5):601-7. doi: 10.1177/003335490812300510. PMID: 18828415; PMCID: PMC2496933 29. Inuusah Mahama1, Rita Holm Adzovie2 and Daniel Edem Adzovie- Adolescents’ perception of the impact of condom use on sexual behaviours: Evidence from Ghana, a developing country Int. J. Psychol. Couns. Vol. 12(3), pp. 53-62, July-September 2020 DOI: 10.5897/IJPC2020.0612 Article Number: E506CD664351 30. Mudonhi, N., Nunu, W.N., Ndlovu, B. et al. Adolescents and Parents’ Perceptions of Condom Distribution in Selected Secondary Schools in the High Density Suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Sexuality & Culture 24, 485–503 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-019-09642-2 31. Francis , A. N., Justin Ndie, Aristide Bitouga Noah, Martial Fabou, Caroline Teh Monteh, Valentine Oloume Beyeme, Abdelkader Bacha, Arsène Célestin Beng Amougou, ile Kegoung, & Anne Cecile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek. (2022). Condom Use among Adolescents Aged 10 to 19 Years Attending Youth Centers and Secondary Schools in Cameroon: a Cross-Sectional Study. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 23(7). Retrieved from https://www.hsd-fmsb.org/index.php/hsd/article/view/3729 32. Adinma, J.I.B; Adinma, E.D; Eke, N.O. & Umeononihu,OS. (2016). Condom-use by students in a Higher Educational Institution in South Easter Nigeria> Journal of community and Public Health Nursing, 2, 127. 33. Nwagwu, W.E.(2017). Social networking, identity and sexual behavior of undergraduate students in Nigerian Universities. The Electron Library, 35, 534-558. 34. Gelibo, T & Alemayehu, A. (2015). Consistent condom use and preference of HIV risk preventive interventions among underground university students in Southern Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. Journal of AIDs and Clinical Research, 6, 442. 35. Liu, Z; Wei, P; Huang, M; Liu, Y; Li, L; Gong, X; et al (2014). Determinants of consistent condom use among college students in China: Application of the information-motivation-behaviour skills model. PLoS One, 9,e108976. 36. Oranu, E; Woruka, P & Nonye-Enyindah, E. (2020). Evaluation of condom use among university undergraduates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Journal of Biosciences and Medicinces, 8, 31-41.doi:10..4236/jbm.2020.85004

Assessment of Awareness and Compliance with the Use of Condoms Among Adolescents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH