The attitude of people towards the use of condoms to prevent the spread of h1v/a1ds: a case study of Kinondoni district

AIDS is a dangerous disease which threatens the lives of the people. Many people have died because the disease has no cure. Condoms have been recommended as a preventive measure of HIV/AIDS, since the main mode of transmission is heterosexual contact. This study tries therefore, to examine the attitude which people have with respect to the use of condoms. Specifically, the study collected the views and opinions on the potential use of male and female condoms. The researcher studied whether or not man’s decision making dominates in the use of condoms. Purposive sampling technique was used for selecting 120 barmaids in Kinondoni district. A survey method was used for interviewing respondents, supplemented with the focus group discussion and documentary review. Both structured and unstructured questions were asked. The results of the findings show that the respondents had both positive and negative attitude towards the condom use. Many respondents were aware of AIDS and said that condoms were an effective preventive measure. Some respondents had negative opinions on condom use and gave such reasons as condoms reducing pleasure, causing cancer, causing irritation and swelling in the sexual organs and having a bad smell which may cause one to vomit. These negative views made the people not to prefer to use condoms. The respondents did not seem to be aware of the female condoms which made them not to have decision making in the use of condoms. Respondents who have positive attitude towards the use of condoms have received education on HIV/AIDS. The study, therefore, recommends that more efforts should be made to educate people about the usefulness of condoms.