Abstract
Background: Given the young structure of Iran’s population and the fact that extramarital sexual relationships are both prohibited by legislation and shunned by society and religion, examining condom use practices among Iranian youth is highly important. The aim of this study was to explore condom use and its correlates among Iranian young adults. Methods: In a sample of 3,045 individuals aged 19-29 who were recruited from a nation-wide study, we analyzed data from 633 participants who reported a history of extramarital sex. Subjects were asked about their condom use practices during their last penetrative sex. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire where the respondents completed the survey on their own and passed it to trained gender-matched interviewers. Multivariable regression models were constructed to report adjusted odds ratios (AOR) along with 95% CI. Results: Of the 633 participants, 222 (35.1%) reported condom use at last sex. Men reported significantly higher condom use than women (38.5% vs. 25.7%). Having a stable job (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.43), higher knowledge of condom use (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.37) and sexual transmission of HIV (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.85) were positively associated with condom use at last sex. Conversely, experience of sex under the influence of substances (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.94) was significantly associated with reduced odds of condom use at last sex. Conclusion: This study shows that only one out of every three young adults reported using condoms at last sex. While educational programs are helpful, multi-sectoral approaches (eg, individual-, community-, and structural-level interventions) are required to change sexual behaviours towards safe sex practices and reinforce negotiating condom use among youth.
Highlights
Young adulthood is commonly described as a period of new experiences which might include risky behaviours.[1,2] These behaviours could be one or a combination of condomless sex, alcohol consumption or drug use before sex and having multiple sexual partners.[3,4] Engaging in such behaviours raises concerns about the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as HIV/AIDS among this population.[2,5] Of the approximately 80 million people that reside in Iran, roughly 25.1% are 15-29 years of age.[6]
A large proportion of participants (n = 570; 90.6%) correctly knew that condomless sex with an HIV-positive partner could transmit HIV and around three-quarters knew that HIV could be prevented by using condom during sex
Around three-quarter of the participants knew that having sex with more than one person increases the likelihood of HIV infection (Table 1)
Summary
Young adulthood is commonly described as a period of new experiences which might include risky behaviours.[1,2] These behaviours could be one or a combination of condomless sex, alcohol consumption or drug use before sex and having multiple sexual partners.[3,4] Engaging in such behaviours raises concerns about the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as HIV/AIDS among this population.[2,5] Of the approximately 80 million people that reside in Iran, roughly 25.1% are 15-29 years of age.[6]. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of condom use among this population using a nation-wide sample of young adults
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