Body Concepts

Abstract

In a society overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS, a particularly compelling public health question in South Africa is how young people integrate the scientific discourse of HIV/AIDS and pregnancy/contraception with lay beliefs and practices. Our objective was to conduct a preliminary exploration of concepts and related beliefs among young women and men regarding the body, disease and pregnancy. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 sexually active students recruited from two high schools in a rural region of South Africa. Four primary themes emerged from the interviews. These were (1) sexual activity damages the body, (2) contraceptive use has deleterious effects, (3) menstruation causes physical and moral weakness, and (4) women's bodies are repositories of disease. Their discourses revealed beliefs that sexual activity can have severe physical consequences. A gendered difference emerged through the association of women's bodies with disfiguring, unclean, or immoral behaviors in juxtaposition to men's bodies. Women continue to be linked more closely to concepts of infection than were men. Men assume the role of authorities regarding condom and contraception use in their relationships with women. Findings are discussed in terms of improving young South Africans sexual health, in particular, the health status of women in sexual relationships with men.