Reflections and dilemmas on HIV/AIDS and condom use among young adults in Akuse, Ghana

Abstract

This study examined reflections and dilemmas on HIV/AIDS and condom use among young adults living at Akuse in the Eastern region of Ghana. The main objectives of this study were to find out the factors that hinder condom use in the study area, examine the awareness of young adult of HIV/AIDS and condom use as well as explore religious affiliation and gender views in relation to condom use. The study focused on the young adult in Akuse in the Lower Manya district. The analysis of the data was done based on the theoretical perspectives of risk, diffusion, structuration, and gender relations. Semi structured interviews were used as a qualitative tool to conduct this study on a sample of 20 young adults.

The study indicated that condom and HIV/AIDS awareness among the young adults were high while the common avenues from which they receive information on condom use and HIV/AIDS were through; the radio, followed by television, mobile van, religious leaders and newspapers. The study also examine these factors as hindering the use of condom: lack of fear for HIV/AIDS, societal norm and perceptions about sex issues, lack of power for women to negotiate for condom use, religion and beliefs of the society, practical factors, cultural factors, poverty and institutional factors. The study indicated that both men and women advocate the use of condom for HIV/AIDS prevention. However men were more unwilling to use condom as compared to women whiles Christian and Muslim affiliate advocated for condom use in this era of HIV/AIDS.