Factors Associated with Condom Use Among Out-of-School Young People on Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Central Uganda

INTRODUCTION: Evidence is lacking about condom use among out-of-school young people (OS-YP) on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). This study aimed to understand the factors associated with consistent condom use among OS-YP aged 15–24 years old on ART in Central Uganda. METHODS: This was a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 357 OS-YP on ART from seven districts of Central Uganda. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on consistent condom use in the past 12 months from OS-YP, aged 15–24 years, who did not intend to have children in that period. Consistent condom use by participants was considered to be the routine (always) use of condoms during sexual intercourse in the past 12 months. Frequencies and percentages were used for univariate analysis, while Pearson’s Chi-square was used to determine bivariate association and logistic regression analysis for multivariable association with consistent condom use, at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Of the 357 sexually active OS-YP on ART, 73% were females. The age range of study participants was between 15 and 24 years old (with a mean ± standard deviation of 20±3 years) where 55% were aged 20 to 24 years, while their sexual partners were aged ≥25 years, and 49% of respondents did not use condoms. Primary school education level, being employed, rural residence, and receiving ART from health facilities with a perceived adequate number of health workers were strongly associated with consistent condom use with the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.2 (95% CI 0.07–0.69) level of education; 2.12 (95% CI 1.06–4.26) employment status; 2.46 (95% CI 1.19–5.10) residence and 6.08 (95% CI 1.05–35.22) perceived level of staffing at the health facility, respectively. CONCLUSION: Efforts to increase consistent condom use should focus on recruiting more providers in health facilities to intensify condom use sensitization among sexually active young people on ART in the context of HIV epidemic control.