An Exploratory Study of Jamaican Women’s Health Beliefs around Male Condom Use and Negotiation in Jamaica

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored African-Jamaican women’s lived experiences and meanings around the communication and negotiation of male condoms used in their relationships. A qualitative phenomenological research design was utilized. Semi-structured interviews were collected with a small sample of nine African-Jamaican women living in Saint Mary, Jamaica. Results indicate that women’s power in relationships may be masked, despite being at a disadvantage when communicating/negotiating male condom use. Several facilitators and barriers for communicating/negotiating condom use were identified. Interventions developed to combat the HIV epidemic in Islington, Saint Mary, must take into consideration structural factors in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS.