Young people, especially university students, are at high risk of
HIV infections because of little or no parental or administrative prohibitions
in campus environments. The aim of this study was to ascertain the level of
condom use among university students in Zimbabwe; that is, condom use at
last sex and consistent condom use among both regular and casual partners.
The study draws on self-completed questionnaires administered to university
students. The results reveal that, while 78.3% of sexually active respondents
had used condoms in penetrative sexual encounters before, only 56.2% had
used condoms at their last sexual encounter. As expected, consistent condom
use was lower in regular sexual partnerships than it was in casual partnerships
(30.6% versus 54.6%). Condom use at first sex and high personal HIV risk perception
were found to be the most important factors in explaining condom use
at last sex and consistent condom use with casual partners. Condom use intentions
were high, as 75% of respondents indicated that they would use condoms
at their next sexual encounters. Whilst this is commendable, use rates should
ideally be higher still. Campus HIV/AIDS programmers should endeavour to
ensure that condoms are available at all times in order to help translate these
intentions into actual condom use. In addition, promotional programmes
should encourage those who have not yet initiated sexual intercourse to use
condoms at their first sex and also to improve personal HIV risk perceptions
in order to trigger initiation of protective sexual behaviours.