Abstract
BackgroundCondoms are scientifically recommended as potential products for preventing infections attributable to human immuno-deficiency viruses (HIV). However, evidence on factors leading to their inadequate use in developing countries is still scanty. This paper reports an exploratory study of factors constraining condoms use in Tanzania from the perspectives of barmaids, guest-house workers and retailers.MethodsData were collected in two districts—Mpwapwa in Dodoma Region and Mbeya Rural in Mbeya Region—between October and December 2011, using structured interviews with 238 individuals including barmaids, guesthouse workers and 145 retailers. Data analysis was performed using STATA 11 software.ResultsAwareness about condoms was high among all study groups. Male condoms were more popular and available than female ones. A considerable proportion of the barmaids and guesthouses were disappointed with condoms being promoted and distributed to young children and disliked condom use during sexual intercourse. Accessibility of condoms was reported as being lowered by condom prices, shortage of information concerning their availability; short supply of condoms; some people shying away to be watched by children or adult people while purchasing condoms; retailers’ using bad languages to condom customers; occasionally condom shops/kiosks found closed when they are urgently needed; and prevailing social perception of condoms to have low/no protective efficacy. Regression analysis of data from barmaids and guesthouse-workers indicated variations in the degree of condom acceptability and methods used to promote condoms among respondents with different demographic characteristics.ConclusionA combination of psychosocial and economic factors was found contributing to lower the demand for and actual use of condoms in study communities. Concerted measures for promoting condom use need to address the demand challenges and making operational research an integral element of monitoring and evaluation of the launched interventions, hence widening the evidence for informed policy decisions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1621-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Condoms are scientifically recommended as potential products for preventing infections attributable to human immuno-deficiency viruses (HIV)
Reports from latest studies with more stratified analyses using data gathered from different subSahara Africa (SSA) countries that focused on the association between HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevalence and population’s socioeconomic statuses (SES) have found HIV/ AIDS to be: (1) concentrated among the higher SES individuals in the majority of SSA countries, but among the individuals living in poor households only in Swaziland and Senegal; (2) concentrated among wealthier men and women as compared to poorer ones; (3) concentrated among the poor in urban areas, but among the wealthier adults in rural areas of Kenya, Uganda and Zambia; and
The vulnerability to HIV infections among specific groups due to factors relating to their occupational exposures continues being reported, and among the risk exposed groups are the people working in bars, restaurants, guesthouses and those working as longroute drivers [8]
Summary
Condoms are scientifically recommended as potential products for preventing infections attributable to human immuno-deficiency viruses (HIV). Targeting to implement health interventions to areas where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is much more concentrated is greatly recommended, and this includes identification of the groups at most risk of the infections and who are most vulnerable of the epidemic so that they can use appropriate preventive such as condoms and treatment products such as antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, coupled with proper health education and counseling services [1, 3]. The vulnerability to HIV infections among specific groups due to factors relating to their occupational exposures continues being reported, and among the risk exposed groups are the people working in bars, restaurants, guesthouses and those working as longroute (e.g. cross-regional or cross-country) drivers [8]
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