Local voices

For more effective prevention strategies against heterosexual transmission of HIV to be developed in Africa, it is essential to look at lay beliefs and attitudes towards sex, as well as negotiation strategies and gender relations between sexual partners. Anyreduction in practices which enhance women's vulnerability will require the willingness ofmen. The study described here was a pilot study among male factory workers in Harare, to examine theirperceptions of techniques used in preparation for sex by men and women. The men described the use of herbs and aphrodisiacs by men to enhance sexual performance, and the use of drying agents by women for vaginal cleansingpurposes and for enhancement of sexual pleasure for male partners. Within the context of high HIV prevalence in the country, this paper recommends strategies of peer education and involving health workers and families to address sexual beliefs and behaviour, to encourage safer sex practices.ResumenPara desarrollar estrategias de prevención más efectivas contra la transmisión heterosexual del VIH en África es importante examinar las creencias y actitudes comunes hacia el sexo, las estrategias de negociación y las relaciones de género entre la pareja sexual. Para lograr una reducción de las prácticas que aumentan la vulnerabilidad de la mujer hace falta contar con la voluntad del hombre. Este ensayo describe un estudio piloto realizado con obreros de fábrica en Harare, para examinar su perceptión de las técnicas utilizadas por hombres y mujeres antes del acto sexual. Los hombres describen et efo masculino de hierbas y afrodisíacos para aumentar el desempeño sexual, y el uso femenino de sustancias secantes para limpiar la vagina y para aumentar el placer sexual del compañero. En el contexto de la alta prevalencia del VIH en el pais, este ensayo recomienda estrategias dirigidas a la educación de grupos coetáneos, y a que los trabajadores de salud y las familias traten el terra de las creencias y comportamiento sexuales, para alentar a que se practique el sexo más seguro.RésuméL'efficacité des stratégies de prevention contre la transmission hétérosexuelle du VIH qui vont être mises au point en Afrique passe par une prise en considération des croyances et des attitudes du grand public à l'égard des relations sexuelles, ainsi que des stratégies de négociation et des relations hommes/femmes entre partenaires sexuels. Pour faire régresser les pratiques qui augmentent la vulnérabilité féminine, la bonne volonté des hommes est indispensable. L'article décrit une étude pilote menée à Harare parmi des ouvriers d'usine concernant leur perception des techniques utilisées par les hommes et par les fefmes avant les rapports sexuels. Selon les hommes interrogés, les hommes utilisent des herbes et des aphrodisiaques dans le but d'augmenter leurs performances sexuelles, et les femmes se servent d'agents asséchants pour nettoyer leur vagin et donner plus de plaisir à leurs partenaires. Dans le contexte d'un pays où la prévalence du VIH est élevée, le document préconise des stratégies d'éducation par les pairs, faisant appel aux agents de santé et aux familles pour influencer les croyances et les comportements sexuels, afin d'encourager des rapports à moindre risque

Art · Family medicine · Geography · Humanities · Population · Research methodology · Sex workers · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · Medicine · Menstrual Health and Disorders · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Contraception

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