Perceptions and practices relating to condom use in preventing HIV / AIDS among urban men in Vietnam.

This paper focuses on the perceptions and practices relating to condom use and its role in preventing HIV among Vietnamese men. Using data from a condom survey conducted in 1997 (sample size = 602 men) the relationships between condom use and socioeconomic characteristics are examined. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of data show that although knowledge of condoms is almost universal they are rarely used. In addition it was noted that the majority of respondents feel that condoms are used mainly for family planning. There is evidence however that the condom may be acceptable as an effective means of controlling the spread of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover findings indicate that the number of surviving children marital status education occupation and region of residence are significant predictors of both knowledge and condom use. Tables representing the exact figures of the results of the Vietnam Condom Survey in 1997 are included in this paper.