Perceptions on condom use: a comparative study of African migrants and South Africans in Durban’s inner city (KZN, South Africa)

Abstract

This study aims to examine perceptions on the use of condoms among both South Africans and African migrants living in Durban’s inner city. To explore and analyze the role of culture in making the choice or no choice on condoms use among African migrants and host communities living in Durban’s inner city. South Africa has the biggest and highest-profile of HIV infection in the world, with an estimated seven million people living with HIV in 2015. The use of condoms has been identified as a significant and effective prevention tool against HIV infection. Its promotion amongst sexually active populations is endorsed by the World Health Organization. Both African migrants and South Africans emerged as one of the most vulnerable groups to HIV infection. It is worth noting that migrants moving from the country of origin to the hosting country; hold onto, values and beliefs from the country of origin; while the economic, social, and political situation is completely different from the hosting country. This leads us to believe that the perceptions of African migrants may be influenced by their culture and the decision they make to use condoms. To this end, it is important to understand how culture shapes and reshapes one’s understanding and perceptions of choices made; in this case the use of condoms in the face of HIV/AIDS prevention. It is possible to know their views because South Africans and African migrants are living together but with different cultures. The knowledge of South Africans (men and women) in terms of condoms (male and female) use is high. South Africans are ahead in terms of condoms use. They revealed that media, schools, hospitals, and friends are some of the avenues (places) where information was gained to enhance knowledge of condom use. In South Africa, the studies that analyze the association between migrants and condom use did so within the ambit of HIV prevention practices. Lurie and Colleague conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between migration and HIV infection among migrant and non-migrant men and their partners. They found that migration is an independent risk factor for HIV infection among men as they tend to have multiple partners and do not use condoms. Zuma and others found similar results among migrant urban women in Carletonville, South Africa. The researcher adopted a qualitative Research and descriptive research design with in-depth semi-structures interviews. Purposive sampling methods were used to select participations who met the inclusion criteria and the interview was for 40 min. Data collected was thematic. The theories of Planned Behavior and Reasoned Action were used to design this study and data collection. The chosen methodology of using in-depth interviews proved to be effective in this regard. The study is a qualitative research that utilizes purposive sampling and snow balling as its methodology to investigate and obtain findings as to the attitudes and perceptions on the use of condoms among males and females (African migrants and South Africans) living in Durban’s inner city. It will employ in-depth open-ended questions developed for interviews in English and French. There will be twenty participant cohorts who were interviewed, 5 males and 5females from the migrant community and 5 males and 5 females aged 19 to 41 years from the South African community living in the inner city of Durban. The research findings will indicate the different views of African migrants and South Africans regarding their perceptions towards the use of condoms.