‘UNR students shun condom use’

SOUTHERN PROVINCE HUYE — Condom use has been widely promoted in the fight against Aids, but according to a survey done at the National University of Rwanda [UNR] recently, a big number of students prefer unprotected sex.The survey conducted by Dr Jean Bosco Gahutu and Thierry Nyatanyi of UNR on knowledge, attitudes and practices as regards HIV/Aids among students revealed that University students are well informed about HIV/Aids but many choose to indulge in unprotected sex. The researchers carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a sample of 150 respondents randomly selected among resident students in the year 2006. They used a self administered questionnaire while data analysis was done using EPI-DATA and SPSS software. Among the reasons given for shunning condom use are that the rubber reduces sexual pleasure, can burst or tear and that it can slip off during sex and stuck in the woman’s sex organs.A report released by the University Women Students Association early this year showed that there were 18 cases of unwanted pregnancies among university girls in 2006 a clear indication that students engaged in unprotected sex. However, despite the reluctance to use condoms by some students, the research shows that over 80percent of the respondents are knowledgeable about the mode of transmission of HIV/Aids.Another shocking revelation from the research is that 69percent of the respondents did not wish to take voluntary HIV test.Low condom use as it may appear at 60 percent in 2006, the research shows a remarkable improvement compared to the results of a previous similar study conducted in 2000, where it stood at 43.9percent.The survey notes that: “unprotected sexual intercourse can not be linked to non availability of condoms since they are available, free of charge in students’ hostels.”The researchers recommended more interventions to influence behavior change among campus students.According to 2001 statistics from the Aids Treatment and Research Centre (TRAC), HIV prevalence among the student population at UNR stood at 2.2percent. Ends