Recommendations to improve condom use in men in Dikgatlong Sub district (Northern Cape)

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to come up with recommendations that would improve condom use in men in the Dikgatlong Sub-district in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Although condom use in this province followed the national tendency in South Africa of an increase in condom use amongst men of all age groups, men from the Northern Cape had the lowest prevalence of condom use amongst men in South Africa. The research methodology used was qualitative, descriptive and consensus seeking in design. The nominal group technique was used to collect data from men who were recruited from the primary health care facilities and from schools in the Dikgatlong Sub-district. An exploratory study was conducted to test the relevance and the clarity of the question. The study consisted of two nominal groups of older men (49 years and above) and two nominal groups of younger men (18-24 years). Atrained facilitator from the University of the Free State conducted the nominal group discussions. This structured interview technique allowed prioritizing recommendations proposed by participants as to how to improve condom use amongst men in the Dikgatlong Sub-district. Data obtained during the interviews was analysed according to the steps proposed by van Breda and categories and themes identified according to the steps proposed by Tesch. The categories identified were client education, quality assurance, attitude, communication and availability of condoms. The category, client education was further divided into the following themes: content, strategy, responsibility and target group. The category, quality assurance had two themes namely, manufacturing and cost. Whereas the category attitude had one theme namely, change. The category communication had one theme namely, interpersonal. The last availibility category had also one theme namely, sites. Trustworthiness of the data was supported by upholding the criteria of credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability. Recommendations from the study were ordered according to the identified categories and themes. Briefly the results indicated that parents, community leaders, educators and the Department of Health in collaboration with other governmental departments have role to play in encouranging the sexual behavioural change in men. Policies and guidelines regarding the use and distribution of condoms were found to be available and should reach the community. The results of the study will be forwarded to the Department of Health in the Northern Cape and the implementation of these recommendations will be in their hands.