Attitudes of the sexually active San men towards the use of the government supplied male condoms in Ghanzi District, Botswana

Date
2013-03
Authors
Tingwane, Armstrong
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research presents findings from a study conducted in Ghanzi District, west of Botswana. The research aimed to explore and make meaning out of the resentment by sexually active San men in the district towards the use of male condoms supplied for free by the government. Findings from the study reveal that there is limited and often erratic condom distribution of the male condom brands. At the same time, the condom promotion interventions applied are also ad-hoc and inadequate. Even though they report to use condoms, most respondents emphasized they have never been taught on how to use condoms. Furthermore, there is also low-risk perception towards HIV and AIDS realised amongst the respondents as well as a strong belief in myths and misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The major negative attribute about available standard sized condoms is that they are largely too big for their penis sizes. Other reasons were unpleasant condom smell and frequent breakage of the condom during intercourse. Issues relating to gender dynamics also came out of the study and affect the way they use the male condom with their partners. These have led them to not using the condoms correctly and consistently. Accordingly, these findings suggest a low condom usage amongst the study population which correlates with data available regarding increasing HIV incidence rates and high STI rates amongst the males in the district. This calls for more intensified, targeted condom promotions and distribution efforts in this part of Botswana.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing bied die bevindings van ’n studie wat in die Ghanzi-distrik, wes van Botswana, uitgevoer is. Die doel van die navorsing was om seksueel aktiewe San-mans in die distrik se teësin in die gebruik van manskondome wat gratis deur die regering verskaf word, te ondersoek en sin daarvan te maak. Die bevindings van die studie toon dat daar beperkte en dikwels wisselvallige verspreiding van manskondome is. Die intervensies gemik op die bevordering van kondoomgebruik is ook onreëlmatig en onvoldoende. Ongeag die feit dat die meeste respondente beweer hulle gebruik wel kondome, het hulle benadruk dat hulle nog nooit geleer is hoe om kondome te gebruik nie. Daar is voorts ’n persepsie van lae risiko van MIV en vigs onder die respondente, asook ’n sterk geloof in mites en wanopvattings oor MIV en vigs. Die grootste negatiewe siening van beskikbare standaardgrootte kondome is dat dit oor die algemeen te groot is vir hul penisgroottes. Ander redes is die onaangename reuk van kondome en dat dit gereeld tydens omgang breek. Kwessies verbonde aan geslagsdinamiek het ook in die studie na vore gekom en beïnvloed die manier waarop hulle die kondoom met hul seksuele maats gebruik. Dit gee daartoe aanleiding dat hulle nie die kondome gereeld en konsekwent gebruik nie. Die bevindings toon vervolgens lae kondoomgebruik onder die studiepopulasie, wat korreleer met beskikbare data oor stygende MIV-voorkomssyfers en hoë koerse van seksueel oordraagbare infeksies onder die mans in die distrik. Dit noodsaak meer intensiewe, toegespitste kondoomveldtogte en -verspreiding in hierdie deel van Botswana.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, AIDS (Disease) -- Botswana -- Ghanzi District -- Prevention, HIV infections -- Botswana -- Ghanzi District -- Prevention, San (African people) ) -- Sexual behavior -- Botswana -- Ghanzi District, Comdom use -- Botswana -- Ghanzi District
Citation