Condom users in Zambia has increased to 49.6 percent in 2005 from 38.2 percent in 2003, according to the latest bulletin of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) of the country.

Among males, the positive perception of condoms to prevent HIV/ AIDS infection rose from 40.5 percent in 2003 to 51.0 percent in 2005 while for females, the increase was from 36.4 percent in 2003 to 48.3 percent in 2005.

"The appreciation of condoms is greater in urban areas from 33.8 percent in 2003 to 50.1 percent in 2005 compared to rural areas where the increase was from 41.0 percent in 2003 to 49 percent in 2005," said the bulletin.

It indicates that the use of condoms for protection against HIV and sexually transmitted infection is greatly influenced by people's attitudes and beliefs.

The bulletin says only 32.9 percent of all respondents agreed with the statement that condoms must be used with a regular partners, while 53.6 percent disagreed.

"Similarly a large majority of respondents, almost two-thirds (64.7 percent) agreed with the statement that condoms promoted promiscuity and 27.8.8 percent disagree," said the bulletin.

The CSO has recorded an increase in the percentage of respondents who reported knowing some one living with HIV or who died of AIDS.

The increase was from 73 percent in both 1998 and 2000, to 83 percent in 2005.

Source: Xinhua