THREATS OF AIDS AND CONDOM USE IN A NIGERIAN URBAN COMMUNITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR FERTILITY REGULATION IN NIGERIA

The motive for this research is provided by the search for conditions that will increase acceptance of condom among couples of reproductives ages. Four hundred and fifty (450) sexually active persons aged 15-64 years were sampled from Awka using the multistage sampling method. The questionnaire and focus group discussion techniques were used for data collection. The data analysis shows that the fear of being infected with the HIV/AIDS is a factor that will make individuals to rely on condoms. Education was found to be a key factor affecting acceptance and use of condom as a protective device against HIV/AIDS. However, it was found that most of those who perceive the condom as an effective protective device against HIV/AIDS will use it in casual sex and for fertility regulation. Finally, it is predicted that a threat of HIV/AIDS will change negative attitude to condom use