HIV infection and the meaning of condoms

Abstract

Present day meanings associated with condom use among drug-using women and their long term sexual partners include: loss of male protection; violations of constructions of intimacy, fidelity, conjugal bonding, and female identity; illness; and death. Efforts to change condom use patterns must be based on increased vocational, educational, and social opportunities for women. HIV prevention efforts might profit from the design of safer sex interventions informed by the above meanings; intensified mass media campaigns; and a re-contextualization of attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs.

PIP: The author interviewed 126 drug-using, African-American and Latino female methadone patients in Bronx, New York, who had personal and social experiences with HIV infection. Their activities and constructions of meaning associated with condom use are described. 47 had experienced the AIDS-related deaths of 1 or more family members and 16 of those married were HIV-seropositive. Overall, 50 resided with husbands, 24 were separated, and 52 were single, divorced, or widowed. 64% of the married women never used contraception with their husbands. Sections examine contraception, contraception and patterns of conjugal authority, and meanings associated with condom use. The interview revealed that these drug-using women and their long-term sex partners associate condom use with the loss of male protection; violations of the constructions of intimacy, fidelity, conjugal bonding, and female identity; illness; and death. It is suggested that vocational, educational, and social opportunities for women be increased in order to change condom use patterns. Further, HIV prevention efforts could draw upon findings of this research and include intensified mass media campaigns as well as a re-contextualization of attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs.