HIV Status Disclosure and Uptake of Female Condom among Women Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy Services at a Military Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

N. E. Harrison,C. U. Agbaim,O. Nwaiwu,O. A. Adegbite,K. E. Oruka

doi:10.4236/wja.2019.93010

Abstract

Background: Female condom (FC) has efficiently challenged the increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV, unwanted pregnancy and promoted self-protection and autonomy among females. However, despite being provided free of charge, the researchers have not observed satisfactory level of demand for FC by the HIV-positive clients at our facility. This study sought to establish the determinants or deterrent factors to the uptake and the use of FC among HIV-infected female clients in an Army hospital, Lagos. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used and 340 interviewees were selected for the survey. Analyses were completed using Epi InfoTM version 7.2.1.0. Association between variables of interests was established using Chi-square. Result: Mean age of the participants was 37.91 ± 8.33 years while the median age was 37. Greater proportion was married (50.5%), business women (55.5%), had at least school certificate (90.1%), and had regular sexual partner (84.4%). Only 69.8% disclosed their status to their sexual partners, while 79.5% in turn were informed of their partners’ HIV status. Being in marital union, younger age and being aware of partner’s HIV status were significantly associated with HIV disclosure (p

Highlights

Women are more predisposed to contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV following unprotected sex than men, and are more affected by consequences of unwanted pregnancies [1]
69.8% disclosed their status to their sexual partners, while 79.5% in turn were informed of their partners’ HIV status
In a study done in Zimbabwe in which sex workers, urban women attending family planning clinic and rural women were recruited as participants, over 50% of women in these three groups and their partners expressed greater satisfaction and preference for female condom (FC) over male condom as against 10% that did not like it [10]

Summary

Introduction

Women are more predisposed to contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV following unprotected sex than men, and are more affected by consequences of unwanted pregnancies [1]. This has been attributed to the dominating role of men, culture of women submission and passivity in sexual negotiation [2]. Female condom (FC) has efficiently challenged the increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV, unwanted pregnancy and promoted self-protection and autonomy among females. Conclusion: Suboptimal HIV status disclosure, contraceptive use and very low FC uptake among participants need urgent attention to limit further spread of the virus, STI and prevent unwanted pregnancies

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Discussion

Conclusion