Factors associated with consistent condom use: a cross-sectional survey of two Nigerian universities

BACKGROUND: Consistent condom use is central to the prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially among young adults. This study drew from a cross-sectional survey of two Nigerian universities to determine the level of consistent condom use, explored the determinants of condom use consistency and reasons for inconsistent condom use. METHODS: We adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, which involves the recruitment of 800 male and female students using stratified random sampling. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with consistent condom use among a final sample of 498 students who engaged in sex in the last year preceding the study. RESULTS: Only 38.6% of sexually active participants (n = 498) used condoms consistently in the previous year. High condom self-efficacy score (AOR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.58–3.64), discussion of HIV/STIs with sexual partner (AOR: 1.91; 95%CI: 1.29–2.83), knowing partner’s HIV status (AOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.02–2.16), being students of university located in a high HIV prevalence area (AOR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.92–4.28) and engaging in sex with only steady partner (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.17–2.60) were associated with a higher odds of consistent condom use. Trust, unavailability of condoms, dislike of condoms and a perception that condoms reduced sexual pleasure were the main reasons for inconsistent use of condoms. CONCLUSION: The study found a low level of consistent condom use among study participants. Counselling young adults in Nigeria on condom self-efficacy, providing condoms on campuses and encouraging the discussion of sexually transmitted infections with sexual partners are central to improving the level of consistent condom use among Nigerian university students. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7543-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.