Reflections on condom use among adults. a case study of police officers’ cohort in Dar es Salaam.

The study on reflections on condom use among adults was conducted in Dar es Salaam city among police officers in 2004. Previous studies have shown that people have various factors limiting them from using condoms. However, such studies have not touched members of the police force and did not examine factors that limit them from using condoms. The study investigated on those aspects. This study examined factors limiting condom use as a prevention method against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS infection among Police Officers’ cohort. Quantitative data collection method (questionnaire) was used to collect information regarding use of condoms among the cohort. The study was guided by social construction theory. The main tenet of the theory is that reality is socially constructed. Societal norms and beliefs are acquired through daily interaction. Major findings from the study illustrate that although HIV/STIs’ awareness level is high among this cohort still, some of the police officers are not using condoms in their sexual encounters due to various factors. These factors include reduction of sexual pleasure, condoms as a sign of distrust, condom cause fungi, prices for the condoms and inaccessibility of condoms. Yet, these factors seem to be secondary limitations just used to cover up individual demands to satisfy their sexual anxieties. It was revealed that culturally-influenced beliefs, meanings, norms and values about sex and sexual pleasure give police officers their primary convictions on the use of condoms. These have strong influences irrespective of the degree to which officers had become exposed to HIV/AIDS information and risks they were exposed to. Majority of women seemed to be more knowledgeable on STIs compared to men. Also, the findings revealed that majority of men police officers are faithful to their partners compared to women who revealed that they have extramarital affairs but used condoms. The study recommends that more education to police officers and campaigns against HIV/AIDS should be designed in a way that reflects people’s culture and beliefs on sexuality.