Obstacles to negotiating dual protection: perspectives of men and women

Afr J Reprod Health. 2001 Dec;5(3):150-61.

Abstract

This article presents findings from a qualitative study on the perspectives of sexually active men and women about the risks of unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. The study found that there is a high level of awareness of the risk of unwanted pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of condoms as a method of preventing pregnancy and HIV/AIDS is also relatively good. However, there are many real and perceived barriers to condom use especially in stable sexual relationships. In stable long-term relationships, resistance to condom use was found to be strongly related to its association with STIs (including HIV/AIDS). Men and women do not see the need for condoms in stable, ongoing sexual relationships if a more effective method is used for pregnancy prevention. Condom use in such relationships may be seen as a clear sign of infidelity. These attitudes represent a major obstacle to the use of condoms as a dual method of protection.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Negotiating*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Unwanted* / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Partners
  • South Africa