To use or not to use a condom: A prospective cohort study comparing contraceptive practices among HIV-infected and HIV-negative youth in Uganda
2011

Contraceptive Practices Among HIV-Infected and HIV-Negative Youth in Uganda

Sample size: 777 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Beyeza-Kashesya Jolly, Kaharuza Frank, Ekström Anna Mia, Neema Stella, Kulane Asli, Mirembe Florence

Primary Institution: Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Hypothesis

How do contraceptive practices differ between HIV-infected and HIV-negative youth in Uganda?

Conclusion

Sexually active HIV-infected young people are less likely to use contraception and condoms compared to their HIV-negative counterparts.

Supporting Evidence

  • Contraceptive use was 34% among HIV-infected youth compared to 59% among HIV-negative youth.
  • Only 24% of HIV-infected youth used condoms consistently, compared to 38% of HIV-negative youth.
  • HIV-infected youth were more likely to discuss safe sex with health workers.

Takeaway

Young people with HIV in Uganda are not using condoms or birth control as much as those without HIV, which can lead to more pregnancies and spread of HIV.

Methodology

The study followed a cohort of 501 HIV-negative and 276 HIV-infected young people aged 15-24 over one year, comparing contraceptive use and decision-making factors.

Potential Biases

Exclusion of newly tested individuals and those unaware of their HIV status may introduce bias.

Limitations

The study population was selected from health units, limiting generalizability, and relied on self-reported data which may be inaccurate.

Participant Demographics

Participants were young people aged 15-24, with a mix of HIV-infected and HIV-negative individuals, primarily from urban and rural areas in Kampala, Uganda.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.000

Confidence Interval

95% CI 0.38, 0.82

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2334-11-144

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication