HIV Status Disclosure and Uptake of Female Condom among Women Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy Services at a Military Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background : Female condom (FC) has efficiently challenged the increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV, unwanted pregnancy and promoted self-protection and autonomy among females. However, despite being provided free of charge, the researchers have not observed satisfactory level of demand for FC by the HIV-positive clients at our facility. This study sought to establish the determinants or deterrent factors to the uptake and the use of FC among HIV-infected female clients in an Army hospital, Lagos. Method : A cross-sectional descriptive design was used and 340 interviewees were selected for the survey. Analyses were completed using Epi Info TM version 7.2.1.0. Association between variables of interests was established using Chi-square. Result : Mean age of the participants was 37.91 ± 8.33 years while the median age was 37. Greater proportion was married (50.5%), business women (55.5%), had at least school certificate (90.1%), and had regular sexual partner (84.4%). Only 69.8% disclosed their status to their sexual partners, while 79.5% in turn were informed of their partners’ HIV status. Being in marital union, younger age and being aware of partner’s HIV status were significantly associated with HIV disclosure (p < 0.001). Contraceptive uptake was 59.8%, while FC use was 5.4%. Most reported limiting factors to FC utilization were non-availability (22.5%) and use of male condom by the partner (13.8%). Conclusion : Suboptimal HIV status disclosure, contraceptive use and very low FC uptake among participants need urgent attention to limit further spread of the virus, STI and prevent unwanted pregnancies.