Gender Analysis of Key Determinants of Use of Male Condom in Boy / Girl Friend Sexual Relationships Among Unmarried Youths Age 15 – 24 years in Nigeria. Authors: Onoriode Ezire 1 ; Dr. Samson Adebayo 1 ; Dr. Jennifer Anyanti 1 ; Dr Dayo. Olajide 2 ; Olanipekun Sola 3 Institute(s): 1 Society for Family Health, Abuja, Nigeria, 2 Lagos State Agency for the Control of AIDS; Actionaid, 3 Abuja Nigeria

Background The purpose of the study was to provide evidence for improved HIV prevention intervention among youths (15-24 years) in Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives were to: – Identify the key variables that determine condom use in non-marital sex – Ascertain the magnitude of identified variables on the dependent variable – Ascertain whether there are gender differences and to what extent in determining the use of condom in boy/girl friend relationships among the age group.

Variables of Study Dependent variable: use of condom (male) in last sex act in a boy/girlfriend relationship. Independent variables: – Ever heard of HIV/AIDS – UNAIDS indicators for accurate knowledge of HIV prevention – perceptions of condom availability, affordability and the belief that male condoms break during sexual intercourse – Attitude when buying condom in public – Ever discussed condom with a partner – Confidence to convince a partner to use a condom, – Belief that government, parents, friends and religious leaders support young people to use condom – Socio-demographic variables page 3

Method Secondary data were obtained from 3 waves of the National HIV&AIDS and Reproductive Health survey (NARHS), NARHS is a biannual population based study among females and males living in households in Nigeria. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique is used in the selection of respondents Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data among survey participants. Census and Surveys Processing Software (CSPro) was used for data entry, validation, and cleaning. Data was analyzed using logistic regression method. Analysis was conducted among those aged who were unmarried. page 4

Results Ever discuss condom with a partner (male/female: p<0.001); confident can convince a partner to use condom (Males: p<0.001; females: p=.023); confident can wear Condom (males/females: p<.001) and Condom breakage during intercourse (males: p=.011; females:.004). Accurate knowledge of HIV prevention (p=.015); parental support for condom use (p<.001) and confidence to buy condom (p=.043) were also significant for females. Youths who discuss condom with their partner are almost 7 (males) and 13 (females) times likely to use condom as compared with those who do not. Youths who perceive that they can convince their partner to use a condom are about 3 times likely to use condom compared with those who cannot. page 5

Conclusion HIV programming among youths should scale-up HIV interventions that promote: – Discussion on condom use, – ability to convince a partner to use a condom, – ability to wear condom and – the belief that condoms do not break during sex Programming among females should in addition to the above promote: – Accurate knowledge of HIV prevention, – parental support for condom use and – confidence to buy condom are additional significant variables for females. page 6

Improving behavioural skills (negotiation, self-esteem, wearing condom) of youths, and creating an appropriate enabling environment especially for the girl child will significantly improve condom-use among sexually active youths page 7