Associated Factors with Condom Use amongst People Living with HIV Referred to Triangular Clinics of Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran

Currently, high-risk sexual contact with intravenous drug users who have HIV infection is the most important source of exposure to HIV infection and thereby vertical transmission of HIV infection to their children. Spouses of HIV positive individuals are at high risk of HIV infection. Research studies show that these groups of people are less likely to use condoms consistently; where constant use of condoms is 80-95% effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study was to assess consistent condom use and its associated factors amongst individuals infected with HIV referred to the Triangular Clinics of the Universities of Medical Sciences in Tehran. A cross-sectional interview-based survey of 400 HIV positive individuals with sequential sampling was carried out. Standard statistical tests (frequency, Chi-Squared, Bivariate and Logistic Regression model with Backward Wald method) were used to analyze the data. The majority of the participants were male (60%) and the majority of men (44.2%) and of women (51.3%) aged 34-25 years old. Amongst those who used condoms in the last year, 24.9% "always did so", 32% "almost always did so" and 43.1% "only sometimes did so". The decision to use condom was a common decision by both sexual partners in 46.1% of the cases. Disagreement of the sexual partner was the most commonly cited reason for not using condoms in this study (39.2%). Consistent condom use during sex is still a challenge among HIV positive individuals; therefore, appropriate interventions are still necessary. Availability of the reproductive health services can help HIV positive individuals to have safer sexual lives by lowering the risk of HIV infection and transmission.