|
|
 |
August 2003 Public Health HIV/AIDS Journal Club
Judith King. HIVAN Media Office.
|
August 2003's Journal Club session featured a presentation by Dr Pranitha Maharaj of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Development Studies, who, with Professor John Cleland, has authored a paper entitled "The Quiet Revolution: Condom Use within Marriage", featuring new research into condom use by married and co-habiting partners in KZN's rural and urban settings.
Previous studies show that condom use is infrequent within marriages (and when they are used, only the male condom is chosen); also, the condom is the least favoured method of contraception within marital unions, as most of the women use the hormonal injection to avoid pregnancy. A review of existing literature reveals that negative beliefs about condoms are a major factor in non-usage.
The research was conducted to assess the extent and determinants of condom use within marriage and co-habiting (customary) unions, using qualitative methodology involving 12 focus groups and 40 in-depth interviews, as well as a quantitative survey of households. Questions regarding awareness of condoms (i.e. both knowledge and beliefs) were posed, with general findings reflecting that condoms are widely recognised as an effective method of preventing pregnancy and AIDS, but despite this, many problems are associated with them, consistent with the conclusions of numerous other studies. These include lack of physical enjoyment, inability (of women) to negotiate usage, lack of trust, and minimal knowledge of how to use the condom correctly.
These were very sensitive issues to explore with respondents, and the household survey tended to obscure or hinder the gathering of certain data such as the number of extramarital partners, but the in-depth, one-on-one interviews allowed for greater rapport and a level of openness to be established between the fieldworkers and the participants.
Behaviour does appear to be adapting in response to the rapid spread of HIV infection and the AIDS epidemic and this could well result in increased usage of condoms, although this is occurring fastest in non-marital relationships. The research revealed a clear need for more precise measures of condom use (as the respondent term "occasionally" was too broad a definition of usage). Also, condom use within marriage was found to correspond closely to the level of education and place of residence of respondents.
It is evident that marriage itself does not constitute a "safe haven" from infection with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. Very few of the respondents mentioned the female condom, and those who did would want it, but would not know how to obtain it or use it correctly. The study also highlighted a low level of awareness around STIs, and Dr Maharaj felt that mainstream media should be accentuating this problem as a co-factor in HIV transmission. She also observed that women seemed to be more knowledgeable about these issues than one would expect, but that prevention campaigns should stress consistent rather than occasional usage of condoms.
The full paper has been submitted for publication in a forthcoming edition of the journal Studies in Family Planning.
For further details, please contact Dr Maharaj at the School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041. Email: [email protected]: 031 260 2243. Fax: 031 260 2359 |
| Was this article helpful to you? |
 ?100%???? ?0%
|
|
Back
|
|
|
|
