Condoms Become the Norm in the Sexual Culture of College Students in Durban, South Africa

Condoms in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Despite the extensive research evidence that condoms are not merely absent from the norms related to sexual activity, but actually contradict the values underlying many of these norms, Maharaj and Cleland found that condoms had become an expected part of sex and acceptable to the majority in their sample of postsecondary students. 41 Although most of these students reported use for purposes of contraception, 75% reported condom use at last sex. There also appeared to be a shift in gender power among these young adults, with almost half of males and two-thirds of females rejecting the idea that men alone control decisionmaking related to condoms.…”

“…Several researchers have observed that it is among the better educated youth of African countries that condom use is taking a hold. 18,41,76,113 Given the power inherent in the structural, cultural, interpersonal and gendered barriers to condom use, the changes that are beginning to be shown will need to be maintained and further expanded into the diverse social and physical spaces where condom use is decided and enacted in order to see sufficient change to reverse the sexual health burdens that dominate the landscape of SSA.…”

“…Improving the balance of power in heterosexual relationships through educating women has been promoted as a way to increase condom use. 32,34 This approach is supported by results from studies in Madagascar, 18 Angola 19 and South Africa, 41 which have found that women with higher educationparticularly those with post-secondary education -are more likely to report condom use. Greig and Koopman, 42 using national-level data for school enrolment and DHS data for condom use from 35 countries across all regions of SSA, found that at the national level, higher enrolment of women in secondary education was associated with higher reported levels of condom use.…”

“…[19][20][21][22][23] Similar explanations are at work for the results showing greater likelihood of condom use among those with higher education and particularly among postsecondary students. 41,[44][45][46] Those still in school are less likely to be in long-term relationships, more likely to be postponing childbearing, and are more likely to be exposed to information and interventions related to HIV prevention, each of which are associated with higher levels of condom use.…”

“…This was evidenced, for example, among university students in Durban, South Africa, where peer norms were supportive of both condom use and of women having a say in decisions about condoms. 41 The possibility of influencing peer norms and peer group actions through targeted interventions is illustrated in the work of Maticka-Tyndale and colleagues in Kenya. [105][106][107][108][109] Their evaluation of an HIV prevention program showed how participating upper primary school students (grades 6 and 7) reported both increased peer support for condom use and identification of specific strategies endorsed by peer groups for introducing condoms into their relationships.…”