Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Goma University students about condom use in the purpose of reducing HIV infection

Abstract

Objectives

This study sought to detennine the knowledge, attitude and practices of Goma University

students about condom use for the purpose of reducing HIV infection.

Design

A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study using a self-administered questionnaire.

Setting

Goma UniversitylNorth Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Subjects

138 students from Goma University selected randomly completed the self- administered

questionnaires.

Results

Their ages varied between 18 and 33 years. Most of them were males 111 (80 %), (93 %)

were single; Most participants were protestant and Roman Catholic. The most important

results were the following, The majority (99 %) of participants knew about condoms,132 (96

%) knew that condoms are available and sold in Pharmacy,72 (52 %) knew that condom can

prevent at the same time HIV, Pregnancy and ST!, 94 (68 %) said they know how to use a

condom, 111 (80 %) stated that the price of condoms is not a barrier for condom use, 102 (74

%) suggested that the university should supply students with condoms, 91 (66 %) were

engaging in sexually activity, 98 (71 %) of respondents reported that they had unprotected

sex. Conclusions

The main conciusions ofthis study can be summarized as follows:

Condom awareness was high with varying sources of information, Condom use was generally

accepted as a means of preventing HIV / AIDS, sexual transmitted diseases and pregnancy, and

Condoms in DRC are cheap and affordable for university students. In some ethnic groups,

religions and cultures were not in favour of condom use. Consistent use of the condom was

low among Goma University students.

The results of statistics test (Fisher test) have shown that there is no difference in condom

knowledge, attitudes and practices among Goma University students depending on several

socio- demographic factors (sex, marital status, field of studies, class of study, tribe, etc)