Disclosure to sexual partner and condom use among HIV positive clients attending ART clinic at a tertiary health facility in South West Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION

Condom use and disclosure of HIV status increase the safety of sexual activity. Its extent will determine the need for appropriate interventions. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of condom use and disclosure to sexual partners among individuals receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at a tertiary health facility in South West Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 578 clients enrolled in the ART program of Federal Medical Centre Owo, Ondo State Nigeria, was conducted.

RESULTS

The mean age of respondents was 38.6+9.6 years, more than half (66.6%) were females and 7% were currently married. Three-quarter were sexually active out of which 324(75.9%) used condom consistently and correctly and 323(75.6%) disclosed their status to their sexual partner. Use of condom was by 81% of those with tertiary education (p=0.002), and 84.5% of singles utilized condom (p<0.001). Determinant of condom use were, male (OR: 2; CI: 1.1- 3.3; p=0.013), secondary and tertiary education (OR: 3.69; CI: 1.48 - 9.19; p=0.005) and (OR: 4.79; CI: 1.84 - 12.44; p=0.001) respectively. Determinant of disclosure was being married (OR: 11.8; CI- 5.5-25.7; p<0.001). No significant association exist between disclosure and condom use.

CONCLUSION

Most of the people living with HIV accessing ART were sexually active. A good proportion of them used condom consistently and correctly. Disclosure did not have significant effect on condom use. More health education intervention to increase disclosure rate and safe sexual behaviour among HIV positive clients is needed.