The link between drug use and HIV/AIDS among young people in ...

Who is responsible?
It was reported that boys were generally seen as being responsible for both obtaining and using the
condoms and that most females were afraid to buy condoms in the store. It was also indicated that
some males were embarrassed to purchase condoms and thus a condom may not be used during sexual
intercourse. Six groups and 50% of these respondents reported that the males normally bore the
responsibility or made the decision as to whether or not condoms were needed, whilst three groups out
of the six stated that boys provided the condoms.
However, some participants stated that there was a new trend among females being bold, assertive and
independent and these reportedly carried condoms.
“There are some girls who say they will walk with their condoms; even the girls walking
with the condom these days, they becoming more aware. They no longer leaving it up to
the man. They are taking a different trend, they going to have sex so they getting
themselves protected. The other thing is that not because a girl didn’t get pregnant that
doesn’t mean that she is not sexually active. Nowadays they much more aware of sex,
they are much more aware of the contraceptive, and they will use the contraceptive.”
[females, 14-16 and males and females, 20-24, in school]
Reasons for using a condom
The condom was stated as the most widely used form of contraceptives among young people. It was
indicated that young persons use contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually
infectious diseases. It was further stated that young persons may use condoms to protect against
sexually transmitted diseases if they perceived their sexual partners as being promiscuous.
It appeared that the majority of out of school females 14-19 years did not personally use condoms
most times and that their use of protection (injection or pill), if any was for the prevention of
pregnancy.
Reasons for not using a condom
The following variables were cited as the major reasons for youth engaging in risky sexual behavior,
discussed in order of frequency:
Love and trust
Similarly as for reasons for youth having sex, the female participants from all six focus groups in
reference to this component reported that love and trust were one of the main reasons for not using a
condom when having sex. Further, it appeared that young females did as their boyfriends requested in
an effort not to disappoint them. Again this was cited as a result of love and trust.
“Once you know you boy have you alone, I eh using no condoms. I eh have nothing man,
He took a blood test like about a month or two weeks before we had sex and he did not
have nothing and I know that I was clean because I did use to do nothing and thing, and
he did not mess around with nobody. So what the sense.” [females, 14-19, out of school]
It was stated that if the male partner was older and more mature than the female, then it was expected
that the male controlled the relationship and therefore dictated use of condom or not. The ‘weaker’
female might feel threatened to suggest condom use.
Greater sexual satisfaction
Five groups indicated that it was believed that greater sexual satisfaction was achieved without the use
of a condom.
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