Condoms Revisited

Here are some more misconceptions about condoms in South Africa, although I don’t know how prevalent these beliefs are in the community:

1. Condoms were first nationally dispensed several years ago for free by the national government. Some staff member in the health department decided to staple usage directions directly onto the condoms. Ouch!
2. Condoms are a tool by the Afrikaners to stop the procreation of the Africans and to infect the Africans. Many Africans noted the oily substance on the condoms which happened to be lubricant, but believed the oil to be HIV.
3. Sex with female virgins kills HIV and thus condoms would inhibit the process.
4. Condom means that you do not trust your sexual partner or you are cheating.

Below is more info from the loveLife study:
(Click on the Tables for bigger images)

Awareness of condoms among sexually active young people is high
Young people in South Africa report high levels of awareness about using condoms to protect themselves from HIV. Not only are they aware that they should use condoms all of the time, but they are also very confident that they can use condoms all the time even if their behaviour does not always reflect this. When youth who had heard of HIV/AIDS were asked if there was anything that could be done to prevent HIV infection, 94% of youth said yes but when asked what can be done, the vast majority only identified using condoms when having sex.

Although 33% of youth who had sex in the past 12 months reported always using a condom with their most recent partner, 67% of these youth are still not using condoms consistently. While young people report high self confidence that they could use a condom every time they have sex, it is concerning that 31% of sexually active youth said they never used a condom with their most recent sexual partner.

Access to condoms does not seem to be the barrier to inconsistent condom use as over 90% of youth reported that it is easy or very easy to get a condom if they needed or wanted one.