Prevalence and determinants of condom utilization among people living with HIV/AIDS in Egypt

Condoms are an integral part of HIV/AIDS prevention, yet their use is affected by several factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of condom use and the psychological and behavioural determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS in Egypt. Focus group discussions were used to develop the study tool (questionnaire interview) geared towards eliciting knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about condoms among 338 confirmed HIV-positive persons attending fixed voluntary counselling and testing centres in 8 governorates in Egypt. The prevalence of condom use was 45.0% in regular sexual relations and only 18.1% in casual relations. The determinants of condom use were: type of partner, serostatus of partner, antiretroviral intake, beliefs and attitudes towards condom use and to HIV infection. The study shows that special efforts need to be made to change the attitudes of people living with HIV/AIDS towards condom use.