 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Kim Longfield, PhD, AIDSMark, Population Services International, 1120 19th Street, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, 202-785-0072, klongfield@psi.org and Megan Klein, BA, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 360200.
Introduction: This study examines how gender expectations affect youth’s ability to negotiate safe sexual encounters and reduce their risk for HIV/AIDS. Although data were originally collected to examine barriers to condom use, participants spoke about the role coercion and aggression play in relationships, compromising their ability to establish sexual boundaries and prevent infection. Methods: Thirty-three focus groups with youth aged 15-24 were conducted in Eritrea, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Discussions covered sexual relationships and risk perception for HIV/AIDS. Data analysis identified common themes about gender expectations, coercion, sexual aggression, and risk for HIV/AIDS. Results: Gender expectations contribute to miscommunication between couples and conflicts in sexual negotiation. Males report pressure to be sexually aggressive while females feel conflicted about shunning males’ sexual advances, maintaining a good reputation, and owing sex to their boyfriends. Participants spoke casually about the presence of sexual coercion and aggression in relationships. Coercion and the threat of violence contribute to low levels of condom use and other protective behaviors against HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: Gender expectations and acceptance of coercion and aggression in relationships contribute to youth’s increased risk for HIV/AIDS. As a result youth’s ability to negotiate the parameters of sexual activity and risk reduction is compromised. Although it is important to urge youth to negotiate condom use, programs should work with youth prior to sexual debut to understand appropriate gender expectations, employ positive deviants to model behavior, and increase social support for non-sexual relations. Programs should also increase youth’s ability to make joint sexual decisions.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, International, Sexual Risk Behavior
Related Web page: www.psi.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Population Services International
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment