Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aims to determine factors associated with levels of condom use among heterosexual Thai males in sex with regular partners and in sex with casual partners.MethodsThe data used in this study are from the national probability sample of the 2006 National Sexual Behavior Study, the third nationally representative cross-sectional survey in Thailand. A subtotal of 2,281 men were analyzed in the study, including young (18–24) and older (25–59) adults who were residents of rural areas of Thailand, non-Bangkok urban areas, and Bangkok. Two outcomes of interest for this analysis are reported condom use in the past 12 months by males in relationships with the most recent regular and casual partners who were not sex workers. Chi-square statistics, bivariate regressions and the proportional odds regression models are used in the analysis.ResultsCondom use for men with their regular partner is revealed to be positively related to education, knowledge of condom effectiveness, and pro-condom strategy, and negatively related to non-professional employment, status of registered marriage, and short relationship duration. Condom use with casual partner is positively determined by education, condom knowledge, non-professional occupation, short relationship duration, and lack of history of paid sex.ConclusionThe national survey emphasized the importance of risk perceptions and condom motivations variables in explaining condom use among men in Thailand. These factors include not only education and knowledge of condom effectiveness and pro-condom strategy but also types of partners and their relationship context and characteristics. Program intervention to promote condom use in Thailand in this new era of predominant casual sex rather than sex with sex workers has to take into account more dynamic partner-based strategies than in the past history of the epidemics in Thailand.
Highlights
Promoting condom use has been a key intervention in preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Improving knowledge of the factors associated with condom use, among regular and casual partners – in sex with regular partners and in sex with non-regular partners – is a critical step towards increasing condom use and decreasing transmission of HIV and other STIs
The 2006 National Sexual Behavior Study (NSBS) provides the data used in this analysis
Summary
Promoting condom use has been a key intervention in preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms can be up to 95% effective in preventing HIV transmission; consistent condom users are 10 to 20 times less likely to be infected after exposure to HIV than inconsistent or non-users [1]. Condom use remains highly varied around the world. One of the strongest determinants of condom use is relationship type: condom use is typically high with commercial sex partners but exceedingly low with spouses or regular partners [2]. Improving knowledge of the factors associated with condom use, among regular and casual partners – in sex with regular partners and in sex with non-regular partners – is a critical step towards increasing condom use and decreasing transmission of HIV and other STIs
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