Sexual Behaviours and Factors Associated with Consistent Condom Use among Young Male Artisanal Miners in Kassanda District

PATIENCE NATWIJUKA, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
Lydia Kapiriri, Macmaster University
Hanna Chidwick, Macmaster University
Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, Makerere University
Betty Kwagala, Makerere University

Artisanal and small-scale mining is a source of income for millions of people worldwide. The burden of STIs is higher in developing countries and ASM communities are among the high-risk groups. Consistent condom use is pivotal in the prevention of STIs. This study assessed sexual behaviors and factors associated with consistent condom use among young male Artisans in Kassanda District, Uganda. It involved a cross-sectional survey of 304 artisans aged 15-24 years. Data analysis included frequency distributions, chi-squared tests, and logistic regression. Results show that 89% of the respondents had sexual intercourse during the year preceding the study, 55% had multiple sexual partners, 11% engaged in transactional sex and 42% reported consistent condom use. Married young men, those that had a neutral attitude towards condom use and those that only had mothers as their parent had reduced odds of consistent condom use.