Yasmin Williams, Contributor
OVER THE past weeks, we have focused on the HIV/AIDs epidemic and issues affecting infants, women and adolescents. Today, we conclude with a look at some of the data related to Jamaican men as informed by the results of the National knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practices survey of the Ministry of Health's HIV/STD Control programme.
The survey done in 2000 on a sample of the population between 15 - 49 years, had 50% male responders. The majority of male respondents reported having a regular or main sex partner. A regular or main partner being a partner known for more than twelve months. This was reported lowest (70%) in males 15 -19 years old and increasing to 85 and 81 % for the older age groups.
MULTIPLE PARTNERS
Multiple regular partnerships were more frequent in the 15 - 19 year-olds. This group also had the highest percentage for "presence of non regular sex partner" and the highest percentage for "the presence of two or more non regular sex partners". A non regular partner is defined as "a partner known for less than twelve months". Commercial sex partners (partners given money for sexual favours) were reported by the minority, but surprisingly, this was again highest for the 15 - 19 year-olds (2.5%).
When males were having sexual relations with non regular partners (more risky activity), 77 % of the time condoms were used. It was reported that this level has been obtained since 1992. The pattern of condom use was said to fluctuate with age.
The 15 -19 year olds had increased use but usage decreased in the 20 - 29 year olds and the 30 -39 year olds but increased for the older age group.
Overall, "Dislike condom" was the main reason given for not using the condom. "Did not think of it" was the next common reason for not using a condom. Nine percentage (9%) of males gave this reason in 1996 compared to 22% in 2000.
PERCEPTION OF LOW RISK
OF HIV/AIDS
More men perceived themselves as having "at least a little chance of contracting HIV/AIDs." This increased from 22 per cent in 1996 to 32 per cent in 2000.
The perception of risk appeared inversely proportional to age. Twenty five (25 per cent) of the 15-19 year olds, 35.4 per cent of the 20-24 year olds and 36.3 per cent of the 25-49 year olds assessed that they were at some possible risk.
As the epidemic, continues, we must continue with the relevant education but importantly we must address social and cultural norms that put our boys/men at risk.
For example, many Jamaican boys/men feel that a measure of a man's worth is the number of girls/ women that the man "is involved with". Many aspire to have a "bungle of gal".
Clearly we need to adopt more wholesome indicators of manhood.I know that not long ago, in some quarters, it was though that a boy was not a man until he had "caught a dose" meaning he had been infected with gonorrhoea - a common sexually transmitted disease which can facilitate the spread of HIV.
Hopefully, few if any believe that, at this point in time.
ABSTINENCE
As a society we must continue to encourage our adolescents (both male and female but especially males) to abstain from sexual activity until they are adequately prepared. They must be assured that they can be in control and they must be encouraged to control the natural drive for sex which often overrides any thought for protection.
In order to stem this epidemic, as appropriate, each one of us must continue to implement and/or be messengers of the three main messages of the national STD/HIV control programme.
THESE MESSAGES ARE:
(1) Sexual abstinence.(2) One faithful uninfected sex
partner. (3) Condom use with every sex act If one is unable to implement any of these recommendations then any other 'safe' sexual activity is supported.
Dr. Yasmin Williams is a family doctor and public health specialist. E-mail: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
