Determinants of Consistent Condom Use Among Filipino Women: Results From the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey

Background: Consistent condom use had been perennially low in the Philippines, despite being a tested and proven public health intervention to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Considering the high fertility rate, teenage pregnancy rate, and the rapidly increasing incidence of HIV in the country, we identify the determinants of consistent condom use in the country. Methods: We used data from the individual recode of the 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey. We used logistic regression for survey data to identify factors associated with consistent condom use. Results: Out of 25,074 respondents, only 261 (1.13%) have used condoms consistently with their most recent partner. Reach of information and education campaigns on contraceptive use via different media ranged from 62% via television to 7% via SMS. After adjusting for confounders, those who were able to ask their partners to use condoms during sexual intercourse has 6.10 times (adjusted odds ratio: 6.10; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 2.00. 18.61) odds of consistent condom use than those who were unable to ask their partners to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Meanwhile, HIV knowledge (aOR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.39), hearing about contraception in television (aOR: 1.54; 95% CI: 0.99, 2.39), age (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.00), and number of children (aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.20) have borderline significant associations with consistent condom use. Conclusions: The low percentage of those who use condoms consistently, together with the low reach of information and education campaigns highlight the need to further intensify information and education campaigns to promote consistent condom use. Interventions to improve sexual agency and promote HIV knowledge should be implemented to address the burden of unwanted pregnancies and HIV in the Philippines.