The social context of perception of AIDS risk and sexual behaviour in Kenya

This study examines how people assess their risk of contracting HIV at the community level in Kenya and how they relate their sexual experiences to the risk of HIV infection. This objective was achieved using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews

Summary of findings:

• the participants mentioned the following preventive measures: using condoms, abstinence, fidelity and monogamy, uptake of HIV testing, and to a lesser extent, communication with partners and avoidance of risky cultural practices
• various contradictions and barriers to behaviour change were cited that reflected a mismatch between knowledge, intentions and behaviour. Among all participants, condoms connote mistrust, promiscuity and exposure to a sexual disease, as well as decreased sexual pleasure
• women stated abstinence, faithfulness and monogamy are beyond their power to effect. Participants stated that use of condoms and abstinence were unrealistic behavioural change options for married people or those in stable relationships
• condom use is also hindered by fears and misperceptions to include: they can slip into the woman’ s womb and could cause death; they have holes that allow sperm to pass, and they are laced with the HIV virus