American Journal of Men's Health (Jul 2012)

Condom Use by Partner Type Among Military and Police Personnel in Peru

  • Manuel V. Villaran MD, MSc,
  • Angela Bayer MHS, PhD,
  • Kelika A. Konda MHS, PhD,
  • Carlos Mendoza MD,
  • Hilda Quijandria BS,
  • Julia S. Ampuero MD, PhD,
  • Moises Apolaya MD, MPH,
  • Oswaldo Palacios BS,
  • Andres G. Lescano MHS, MHS, PhD,
  • Antonio M. Vega MD,
  • David L. Blazes MD, MPH,
  • Tadeusz Kochel PhD,
  • Silvia M. Montano MD, MPH

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988311431628
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to analyze the rates of condom use among military and police populations in Peru, focusing on differences in use by type of partner. A Knowledge Attitudes and Practices survey was conducted among 6,808 military and police personnel in 18 Peruvian cities between August–September 2006 and September–October 2007. A total of 90.2% of the survey respondents were male; mean age was 37.8 years and 77.9% were married/cohabiting. In all, 99.5% reported having had sex; 89% of the participants had their last sexual contact with their stable partner, 9.7% with a nonstable partner, and 0.8% with a sex worker. Overall, 20.4% used a condom during their most recent sexual contact. Reasons for nonuse of condoms included the following: perception that a condom was not necessary (31.3%) and using another birth control method (26.7%). Prevention efforts against sexually transmitted diseases should focus on strengthening condom use, especially among individuals with nonstable partners.