Reasons for lack of condom use among high school students

This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to identify barriers to condom use among high school students in Natal. Phase 1, a group discussion, with 50 high school students of all races from 10 schools, revealed that 17 (34%) were sexually active, 8 (47%) of these had used a condom at least once, but none had used condoms in every sexual encounter. Phase 2 comprised 36 focus group discussions involving about 650 black high school students. These discussions confirmed the finding of phase 1 that high school students were not using condoms to any significant degree. In their opinion, condoms limited sexual pleasure, indicated a lack of trust in the partner's faithfulness, challenged the male ego, and were associated with sexually transmitted diseases. Their contraceptive properties were viewed with suspicion and considered undesirable by those teenagers who wished to prove their fertility. In addition, condom use was not sufficiently well understood and condoms were not accessible or available when required. We recommend that condom promotion strategies should include an adequate explanation of how condoms work and detailed information on their local availability. They should be available at a government-subsidised price through more accessible outlets; popular figures and recognised leaders should be encouraged to support anti-AIDS campaigns and condom use, particularly in the public media.