Determinants of condom use with regular partner among myanmar migrants in Thailand

Abstract

Condom use is much less commonly practiced with an individual's regular partner than when having sex with non-regular partners or paid partners. These unsafe sexual behaviors are also practiced by migrant workers and carry the risk of HIV infection. The objectives of this study were to explore the level of condom use with a regular partner among Myanmar male migrants with regular partners. Specifically, the level of knowledge influencing condom use with regular partners, sexual and reproductive health behaviors, and the migration, demographic and socio-economic characteristics of this group was investigated. Secondary data from a cross-sectional survey on Prevention of HIV/AIDS among Migrant workers In Thailand (PHAMIT) 2014 was used. The selected sample consisted of Myanmar male migrants who have regular partners. In total, 665 migrants were analyzed. The findings showed that condom use with a regular partner among Myanmar migrants was 18.0 percent. The reason that they used condoms with their regular partner was mostly to avoid pregnancy (84 percent), and the main reason for not using a condom was trust in their partner (51.6 percent). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that an increase of one score in the knowledge of places of condom distribution would result in 1.5 times increase in the probability of condom use with regular partner. Migrants who used the temporary contraceptive method (pill, injections, and implants) are 2.5 times more likely to use condoms with regular partners than those who do not use any modern contraceptive methods. Moreover, the amount of monthly income had a positive association with condom use with a regular partner. However, of these three significant factors, knowledge about places of condom distribution was the primary determinant of condom use. Therefore, it is recommended that knowledge of places of condom distribution, and contraceptive use, should be strongly emphasized in interventions for HIV prevention, treatment and care implementation.