Condom use in marital and nonmarital relationships in Zimbabwe

Context: Zimbabwe is one of the few Sub-Saharan African countries that have made substantial efforts to involve men in contraceptive use, and also has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates. Therefore, it is worthwhile to examine men's patterns of condom use in marital and nonmarital relationships. Data: Differences in the pattern of condom use by sexually active single and married men were investigated using data from the 1994 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey: Multivariate logistic regression models were used to isolate the effects of various determinants of male condom use. Results: Condoms were used primarily for nonmarital sexual relations. Sexually active single men were more than seven times as likely to use condoms (50%) as to have relied on the pill (7%). Likewise, 50% of sexually active single men were currently using condoms, more than eight times the level among married men (6%). In contrast, while 47% of married men said their spouse relied on the pill, only 7% of unmarried men reported pill use by their partner. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, marital status had the largest and most statistically significant effect on condom use. Region of residence also had a significant impact on men's condom user Sexually active men in the more ethnically diverse Midlands province fended to use condoms more than men in other regions. Conclusions: The condom is the method of choice among single, sexually active men in Zimbabwe, while the pill seems to be the preferred method for use within marital unions. In Zimbabwe, men appear to be heeding advice to use condoms in nonmarital relationships.