Evaluation of Condom Use and Associated Factors among Adult HIV Clients in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To assess the pattern of condom use among HAART naive and experienced patients in north eastern Nigeria. Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess the pattern of condom use among 201 HIV clients. Participants included for this comparative cross sectional study were divided into two group: HAART experienced participants that had been on therapy for at least 12 months and HAART naive participants that had been registered at least 3 months before the beginning of the study. Results: Almost half of the HAART naive and substantial proportion of HAART experienced couples never used condom. Few (13.4%) HAART experienced and 16.5% naive participants always used condom. Inconsistent condom use among HAART naive and experienced partners was 38.8% and 41.8% respectively. Spouse notification of HIV was significantly associated with the use of condoms (p = 0.02; OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.64). The stepwise logistic regression indicated that female (OR 2.40; CI: 1.09 - 3.82), partner notification of HIV sero-positive status (OR 1.32; CI: 1.06 - 1.64, yes versus none), occupation as a civil servant (OR 1.40; CI: 0.15 - 1.05), are factors independently associated with condom use in our studied participants. Conclusion: We report that condom use is uncommon among HIV clients in our environment. Condom is significantly influenced by partner notification of HIV seropositive status, occupation as a civil servant and female gender. This study supports an absence of association between condom uptake and HAART use. Intensive and regular condom counselling for every HIV-positive outpatient who attends the clinic in our environment is expedient. We recommend interventions directed at increasing condom use among HIV clients in our environment.