Predicted Factors of Consistent Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Undergraduate Students in Higher Education Institutions Chonburi Province

Abstract

HIV infections and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major health
problem with increasing trend of unsafe sex among men who have sex with men, especially
young MSM (YMSM). Main cause of infection is condom use behavior. This study aimed to
determine condom use and predictors of consistent condom use among undergraduate
students who were YMSM. The conceptual framework was based on the InformationMotivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model. Samples of 115 YMSM aged 18-25 years old who
were studying at undergraduate level in Chonburi province. The samples were recruited by
using snowball sampling. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires consisted of
demographic data, HIV/STIs knowledge and condom use knowledge with a reliability (KR-20)
of 0.72 and 0.75 respectively , perceived HIV risk, perceived benefit of condom use, and
perceived barrier of condom use, partners’ support for condom use, condom use self-efficacy,
and condom use behavior with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient between 0.82-0.96. Descriptive
statistics and logistic regression were employed for data analysis.
The finding indicates that YMSM reported using condom consistently with the regular
partner lower than the casual partner (49.6% and 66.4%, respectively). Condom use selfefficacy could explain consistent condom use among the YMSM both regular partners
(Adjusted OR = 1.106, 95% CI = 1.010-1.211) and casual partners (Adjusted OR = 1.134, 95% CI
= 1.029-1.249).
Therefore, activities to promote condom use self-efficacy in YMSM should be
organized. The campaigns should be encouraged YMSM to use condom, negotiation with their
partners for condom use, and avoidance of sexual partners who deny to use condom for safe
sex.