High rates of unintended pregnancy and of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections prompt
calls for use of “dual-protection” strategies, including consistent condom use or dual-method
use. This study examines the use of dual-protection strategies in a sample of 15–49-year-old men
and women in Botswana in 2003. Half of sexually active respondents reported consistent condom
use in the past year; 2.5 percent reported dual-method use. Multiple logistic regression analyses
showed that urban residence, less than a ten-year age difference between partners, discussing HIV
and contraception with one’s partner, not intending to have a child in the next year, having no
children, being in a relationship where one or both partners have additional concurrent partners, and
supportive condom norms were associated with dual protection—that is, with consistent condom
or dual-method use. In the context of high HIV prevalence, concerns about disease prevention likely
influence contraception, and interventions should address childbearing desires and sexual risk
simultaneously