Abstract

This paper assessed the major determinants of consistent condom utilization among female street sex workers in wolaita sodo town of Ethiopia. A cross sectional study design was employed whereby the data collection process was completed from 10 April to 10 may, 2015. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. Survey and in-depth interview were the data collection instruments. Multivariate logistic regression analysis with crude odds ratio was used. The findings reveled that all respondents have experiences of unsafe sex with clients. Variables such as Age, Educational status, Alcohol and Chat abuse, primary reason to be street sex worker are found to be significantly associated with consistent condom utilization. On top of this, though knowledge of condom and its use seems well known, readiness of their customers to use condom and their interest of prioritizing extra money for sex without condom are also important factors of condom utilization. The fact that almost all of the street sex workers in the town are teen agers, they can be easily deceived to have sex without condom for extra money. Since most join this job because of peer pressure and aspiring good life, they fail to resist offers of extra money for unsafe sex.