Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2001-2002 - Measure DHS

The 2001-2002 ZDHS data can be used to assess the extent to which people with syphilis appearto be taking precautions not to infect their sexual partners. Table 14.10 shows that 63 percent of menfound to have syphilis have used a condom at some time compared with 28 percent of women. However,the table also shows that 19 percent of the syphilis-positive respondents (29 percent of men and 9 percentof women) did not use a condom in the last high-risk sexual encounter. Twenty-two percent of the respondentswith syphilis reported having had STI symptoms in the 12-month period preceding the survey.Less than one in five of these individuals reported using a condom when the last STI symptom occurred.Overall, these results suggest that, despite the relatively high prevalence of condom use, condoms are to agreat extent not used in high-risk sexual encounters (when they should be). This has to be addressed bythe promoters of condoms.Table 14.10 Syphilis prevention and treatment experiencePercent distribution of women and men age 15-49 found to be syphilispositive, by experience with use of condoms and treatment for STIs,Zambia 2001-2002Condom use/treatment Women Men TotalEver used condomsUsed condom 27.8 62.9 45.2Never used/Don’t know 72.2 37.1 54.8Condom use in last sexual encounter 1Used condom 16.2 22.1 19.1Did not use condom 71.4 73.8 72.6No encounter 12.4 4.1 8.3Condom use in last high-risksexual encounter 1Used condom 9.7 25.8 17.7Did not use condom 8.8 28.6 18.7No high-risk encounter 81.4 45.5 63.6Condom use in paid sexencounter 1Used condom na 10.9 naDid not use condom na 11.2 naNo encounter na 77.9 naCondom use when last had STI/STIsymptom 1Used condom 1.9 6.9 4.4Did not use condom 14.0 22.0 18.0No STI/STI symptom 84.1 71.1 77.6Reported recent treatment for STI/STI symptoms 1Treated for STI 8.2 15.3 11.7Treated for STI symptoms 2.9 9.2 6.0Not treated 4.8 4.4 4.6No STI/STI symptom 84.1 71.1 77.6Total 100.0 100.0 100.0Number 132 130 261na = Not applicable1Refers to 12-month period before surveyPrevalence of HIV and Syphilis | 235