skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Condom Use and Abstinence Among Unmarried Young People in Zimbabwe: Which Strategy, Whose Agenda?
Growing up without a religion AND being raised in the U.S., where premarital sex is a more open subject than in most countries, I had never really considered condom use and abstinence as conflicting ideas for preventing pregnancy and STDs, including HIV/AIDS. I assumed (and assumptions are always so dangerous...) people generally accepted abstinence as the best option to prevent abstinence and STDs, but when abstinence cannot be kept, use of condoms or any other protection was the next best option--I thought people gladly accepted and used condoms in that situation. I guess I was wrong. What this article revealed was a conflict between abstinence and condom use as a strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention, not only in the minds of the individuals but also society as a whole.
The most interesting and enlightening part of this article was the discussion on responses young Zimbabwean men and women gave during focus groups. What they had to say about condoms and abstinence contained clues about their religious views, their parents' opinions about premarital sex, and opinions of their peers. Realistically, they all seem to agree that abstinence does not always work because young people lack self control. Yet, condom use also did not seem to be a favorable choice, mostly due to the bad connotation of premarital sex. As another young adult, I can understand their turmoil. Whether it is due to religious views or cultural taboos, many societies often view premarital sex as a sin, a condemnable act. Someone mentioned during class that using a condom on top of having premarital sex may seem like committing a double sin to them, which I think was a valid point. Engaging in premarital sex is a big decision, but the opportunity may come as a surprise. When kids are placed in the situation, their thoughts may not necessarily reach to the next level of decision of whether or not to use a condom. From reading the focus group discussion, it sounded like the kids were putting off that particular decision because they did not want to deal with such a complex matter. Yes, culture is one of the factors and religion also plays an important role, but we need to remind ourselves that making personal decisions like this is hard for anyone, especially for adolescents. The refusal to use condoms have various factors and reasons, but we may not need to look so far to understand why-- at least part of why.
This is my first AIDS course, let alone my first Africa course, so everything I read is new information. Being a senior, who has followed a fairly narrow path of Asian Studies (mostly Japanese and Chinese) and Business in STIA, that is a pretty different sensation. I have probably heard about the Japanese bubble economy and the Chinese One Child Policy about 50 times, but I know very little beyond the basics of AIDS and its presence and ramification in Africa.
Having said that, the readings assigned for class and some outside readings I have done so far have been eye openers in many ways.
Barnett and Whiteside Ch. 1
Reading "Disease and Denial" first made me realize what a 180-degree change this subject is from what I am having used to study. At one point I have focused my studies on Japanese economy and the aging population in Japan, which are essentially opposite problems in Africa. The age pyramids on pg. 21 are good illustrations. In African countries heavily impacted by prevalence of HIV infection, the age pyramid looks like a regular triangle due to shorter life expectancy. Developed countries have age pyramids of an opposite shape, with an increasing elderly population and a diminishing youth populaiton. However, both types of countries share one common problem: the decreasing number of adults and young adults, a.k.a. the working population. Developed countries are now facing difficulties sustaining their growth and developing countries have troubles developing their economies.
BBC News also had an article related to the "denial" Barnett and Whiteside discuss in Ch. 1. (Aids Experts Condemn SA Minister- 9/6/06). Pg.7 in the book, the authors list several examples of so-called "denials" of AIDS and HIV by experts or politicians, whether it is dismissal of the need to combat AIDS/HIV or flat out disbelief in the cause or preventative measures of HIV/AIDS. BBC's article points to the South African Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who is condemned for promoting beetroot and garlic to HIV/AIDS patients. instead of focusing on anti-retroviral drug treatments. If even the educated, literate, and politically powerful few cannot understand or choose not to acknowledge the scientific background of HIV/AIDS, how are we supposed to teach the masses about correct preventative measures and importance of their enforcement?
