The association between client type and condom use with steady and unsteady partners among persons seeking HIV testing and counseling services in Kenya.

BACKGROUND

Approximately 70% of global HIV infections are located in sub-Saharan Africa, and the prevalence of HIV infection in Kenya remains high.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the association between client type (general population, commercial sex worker [CSW], or truck driver) and consistent condom use with steady and unsteady partners.

METHODS

Self-reported data included in the Kenyan Ministry of Health 2010-2011 National HIV Testing and Counseling Registry were used (n=11,567). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using logistic regression.

RESULTS

After adjustment, CSWs and truck drivers had decreased odds of consistent condom use with steady partners compared to the general population (OR=0.52; 95% CI: 0.41-0.67 and OR=0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.63; respectively). CSWs had 1.95 times the odds of consistent condom use (95% CI: 1.58-2.42) and truck drivers had 0.64 times the odds of consistent condom use with unsteady partners (95% CI: 0.45-0.91) compared to the general population.

CONCLUSION

Although CSWs consistently use condoms with their unsteady partners, truck drivers do not consistently use condoms with any partners. Future HIV prevention efforts should target CSWs and truck drivers to increase consistent condom use with all partners. Such efforts may decrease the prevalence of HIV in Kenya.