Sexual Networking and Condom Utilization, Jimma, Rural Community, South West Ethiopia
Creators: name: Demissie, Aseresash
Publisher: name: National Academic Digital Repository of Ethiopia
Year: 2004

description: HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in Ethiopia. It is estimated that there are 2.6 million people infected by the virus. The sexual network pattern like multiple partners, rapid partner change, frequent sexual intercourse and un protected sex were said to be the major source which facilitate HIV/AID transmission. The wider the contacts and numbers of partners, the more quickly the virus will spread. However, the rate of increase is different in urban and rural parts of the country. Although, Sexual networking and level of condom use with different partners were among the major causes in HIV/AIDS transmission, the majority of the studies on HIV/AIDS and condom use have very much limited themselves in big urban centers. There is a lack of community-based studies focused on rural community. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the sexual network and condom utilization in rural community around Jimma town. Objective: To assess the sexual network and condom utilization of rural community around Jimma town. Method: A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were conducted between November and December 2003, in ten rural kebeles around Jimma town. Quantitative data were collected from 846 (423 male &amp; 423 female) using pre-tested questionnaire. Four focus group discussion (2 male &amp;2 female) and 16 In-depth interviews were also conducted to enrich the quantitative data. Result: Sexual network was observed among male group in merchants, drivers and ex-solders. Commercial sex workers, tella sellers and student girls were involved among females. More male (33.1%) engaged in extra- marital relation ship than female (2.8%)..Condom use with commercial partner (76%) was higher than with non-regular and regular partner. Literate people were found to be more user of condom (16.5%) than illiterate (1.2%). Educational status, sex, 2 occupational status and marital status were found significantly associated with condom use and extra-marital relationship. Being nearer to town with continuous transport was found not to have significant association with condom use and extra marital relationship. Although, knowledge of condom HIV/AIDS and STDS were found higher in both study population, there is a great gap observed between knowledge of condom and use(92.7%, 17.7%) respectively. Conclusion: Sexual network was observed in this study. Men were highly involved in sexual networking than females. Despite higher knowledge of condom its utilization was low. The major reasons mentioned were not trust condom, unavailability, makes man impotent, decrease sexual pleasure, and lack of practical knowledge in applying condom. We conclude that the higher knowledge of condom, which was observed by the study subjects didn't help them to avoid the above misconception. Thus the observed low utilization could be the result of misconception. There fore, this study recommends filling the identified gap in the awareness and utilization of condom. Key word: sexual network, condom utilization