Mungazi G; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. WePeE6502.
Harare youth forum, Harare, Zimbabwe
BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) are an increasing health problem in Zimbabwe,with over 900 000cases treated annually in the formal health sector. Young people are the most affected by STDs including HIV.The aim of the study was to assess attitudes towards STDs and to explore views about sexual practises among young people. METHODOLOGY: Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with a convinient sample of 112 individuals(60 females and 52males)respectively aged between 15 and 25 in the western district ofHarare. RESULTS: 43% reported having suffered from an STD in the past 18months and 7% feared that they could be HIV positive. Although comdoms were believed to give protection against STDs by the majority (97%),only 19% said they used a condom. Of the 19% which used condoms half of them used condoms to prevent pregnancy. Focus group discusiions revealed that manhood encouraged multiple sexual partners and that condoms were percived to affect male potency. Revealed as well is the fact that sexual partners have some problems in talking about sexual matters due to cultural norms making it complicated for females to negotiate safe sex. This exposes women to diseases and are sometimes forced to transmit diseases unwillingly when they are inected. CONCLUSION: These results showed that STDs,multiple sexual relationships and unprotected sex are common among young people. Health activities should be designed to improve knowledge levels about STD transmission,signs and complications targeting the youth. Condom promotion messages should focus on improving attitudes towards condom use amongst males and on negotiating skills for condom use amongst females.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Condoms
- Demography
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Interviews as Topic
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Unsafe Sex
- Zimbabwe
Other ID:
UI: 102250286
From Meeting Abstracts