Leveraging changing gender norms to address concurrency: focus group findings from South African university students

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie R. Psaki ◽  
Nono Ayivi-Guedehoussou ◽  
Daniel T. Halperin

Background This study aims to complement recent research on sexual concurrency in South Africa by providing a deeper understanding of women’s roles and motivations for engaging in and accepting their partners’ concurrency. Our goal is to inform the implementation of more effective interventions that embrace the powerful role that women can play in healthy sexual decision-making in consensual relationships. Methods: We conducted 12 focus groups with male and female students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Drawing on a subset of those focus groups, we examined the gender norms underpinning the apparently widespread acceptance of concurrent sexual partnerships. Our analysis focusses on women’s attitudes and behaviours towards concurrency – from both men’s and women’s perspectives – with a goal of identifying opportunities to engage women as agents of change in sexual partnership patterns in their communities. Results: Our findings indicate that: (1) concurrent sexual partnerships were the norm among male students and increasingly common among female students; (2) material gain and changes in women’s perceptions of their roles and power in relationships were the primary female motives for concurrency; (3) peer pressure, a perceived innate need and a fear of being alone were the primary male motives for concurrency; (4) women often know that their partners are cheating and stay with them because they believe they are the most important partner, for financial reasons, or because they worry they will not find another partner. Conclusions: HIV prevention interventions in populations where concurrency is common would benefit from emphasising women’s role and power in taking greater control of their own sexual decision-making in consensual and nonviolent relationships.

Sex Roles ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 189-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlin N. Piper ◽  
Tyler J. Fuller ◽  
Amy A. Ayers ◽  
Danielle N. Lambert ◽  
Jessica M. Sales ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Rain Mocello ◽  
Joan M. Chow ◽  
Michael C. Samuel ◽  
Gail Bolan

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Pasipanodya ◽  
Jamila Stockman ◽  
Thupten Phuntsog ◽  
Sheldon Morris ◽  
Christina Psaros ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Prior to implementing a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) demonstration study, we sought to explore cisgender women’s experiences with HIV prevention, PrEP knowledge and attitudes, and anticipated barriers and facilitators for PrEP uptake and adherence in Southern California. Methods Three focus groups were held with cisgender women of mixed HIV serostatus in San Diego and Los Angeles between November 2015 and January 2016. Women were recruited through local testing sites, community-based organizations, and social media. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Twenty-two women participated in focus groups, with median age 44 (IQR 30–53) and 6 identifying as non-Hispanic Black, 7 non-Hispanic White, 8 Latina and 1 mixed race. Despite limited prior PrEP knowledge and no PrEP experience, participants expressed interest in taking PrEP. Anticipated benefits were freedom from worry about HIV and control over sexual health; however, these were tempered by concerns including the possibility of increased HIV risk behaviors and potential side effects. Cisgender women reported potential barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence barriers, like competing priorities and poor PrEP access. Conversely, PrEP facilitators included utilizing practical tools such as phone apps and pill boxes as well as receiving encouragement from loved ones and support from other cisgender women on PrEP, women living with HIV and their medical providers. Conclusions Although PrEP awareness was low, participants recognized the importance of PrEP and ways to facilitate adherence. Exploring perspectives of cisgender women is integral to developing effective interventions to support PrEP uptake and adherence for women at elevated risk for HIV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 65-65
Author(s):  
Ana Saraiva Amaral ◽  
Rosa Marina Afonso ◽  
Mário R. Simões ◽  
Sandra Freitas

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) prevalence is expected to continue to increase, due to the population ageing. MCI and AD may impact patients’ decision-making capacities, which should be assessed through the disease course. These medical conditions can affect the various areas of decision-making capacity in different ways. Decision-making capacity in healthcare is particularly relevant among this population. Elders often suffer from multimorbidity and are frequently asked to make healthcare decisions, which can vary from consenting a routine diagnostic procedure to decide receiving highly risk treatments.To assess this capacity in elders with MCI or AD, we developed the Healthcare Decision-Making Capacity Assessment Instrument (IACTD-CS - Instrumento de Avaliação da Capacidade de Tomada de Decisão em Cuidados de Saúde). This project is funded by Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology, FCT (SFRH/BD/139344/2018). IACTD-CS was developed based on Appelbaum and Grisso four abilities model, literature review and review of international assessment instruments. After IACTD-CS first version development, an exploratory study with focus groups was conducted. This study included focus groups with healthcare professionals and nursing homes’ professionals.The focus groups main goals were: 1) understand the participants perception regarding healthcare decision-making capacity, 2) distinguish relevant aspects of decision-making, 3) discuss the abilities and items included in IACTD-CS and 4) identify new aspects or items to be added to IACTD-CS. A content analysis of the focus groups results, with resource to MAXQDA, was conducted afterwards. This exploratory study allowed to identify professionals’ perceptions on healthcare decision-making and its results were a significant contribute to IACTD-CS development. The proposed communication aims to describe the methodology used and present the results of content analysis.


2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Marie Harvey ◽  
Sheryl Thorburn Bird ◽  
Christine Galavotti ◽  
Ernestine A. W. Duncan ◽  
Donna Greenberg

AIDS Care ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Fehringer ◽  
Stella Babalola ◽  
Caitlin E. Kennedy ◽  
Lusajo J. Kajula ◽  
Jessie K. Mbwambo ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Kess L. Folco ◽  
Daniel J. Fridberg ◽  
Lindsay R. Arcurio ◽  
Peter R. Finn ◽  
Julia R. Heiman ◽  
...  

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