Condom use among Aboriginal people in Ontario, Canada.

ABSTRACT

A survey of 658 Aboriginal men and women living in 11 reserve communities in Ontario, Canada, was utilized to collect data on patterns of condom use. Individuals who had sexual intercourse in the previous 12 months were included in the analysis (n=400). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to analyse condom use in the previous 12 months. Eight per cent always, 31% sometimes, and 61% never used condoms. Rates of condom use differed with the number of sex partners in the last year, age, gender, having a steady sex partner, and marital status. Multiple logistic regression revealed that people most likely to use condoms were under the age of 30, male, did not have a long-term steady sex partner, had more than one sex partner, worried about pregnancy, were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, and were not embarrassed to obtain condoms. Condom users who were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and who knew someone with HIV/AIDS were more likely to always use condoms. The most common reason for not using a condom was 'I was with my steady sex partner'. These results have implications for STD prevention efforts and for future research of sexual and STD preventive behaviour among Aboriginal people.

ABSTRACT

PIP A number of studies have found higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among Canada's populations of native peoples relative to rates for the country's general population. More than 63,400 native peoples live on-reserve in Ontario. A survey was conducted of 658 First Nations native men and women living in 11 of Ontario's reserve communities in an effort to identify prevailing patterns of condom use. The 400 people who had experienced vaginal and/or anal intercourse during the previous 12 months were included in the analysis. Study participants were age 15 years and older; 15.8% of the total sample of participants was age 40 years and older. 47.5% were married; 7.3% separated, divorced, or widowed; and 45.3% were never married. 1% reported engaging in homosexual sexual relations during the previous 12 months. 8% of the sample reported always using condoms during the preceding 12 months, 31% used them sometimes, and 61% never used them. Condom use rates varied according to the number of sex partners during the last year, age, gender, whether or not a person had a steady sex partner, and marital status. According to multiple logistic regression, the people most likely to use condoms were under age 30 years, male, without a long-term steady sex partner, with more than one sex partner, worried about pregnancy, knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, and not embarrassed to obtain condoms. Condoms users who were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and who knew someone with HIV/AIDS were more likely to always use condoms. The most common reason cited for not using a condom was because the individual was having sex with his or her steady sex partner.