1. Condom Use and
Related Stigma
By
Kenya Red Cross Society
presented by
Susan Ihuthia

2. Introduction
Condom use is one of the main barrier
methods that help in the reduction of
sexually transmitted infections and
unplanned pregnancies.

3. Introduction cont…..
Properly used, it offers over 90%
protections against STI and can play
a big role in contraception.

4. Introduction cont……
Despite this fact, the use of condom
has met with some challenges, of
which amongst them is stigma.

5. Motivation?
What motivated me to address
this issue?

6. Motivation Cont…….
The youth make up over 60% of the
Kenyan population and according to
statistic on HIV prevalence and
unplanned pregnancies, the youth are
the most affected.

7. Motivation cont……
Various mitigating factors have to be
explored to reverse the current trends in
the way the two issues affect the youth.
Working with youth on a daily basis as a
counsellor and social worker, I am affected
by the way the youth respond towards the
use of condoms in relation to it being one
of the preferred methods in reducing the
prevalence of Sexually Transmitted
Infections and unplanned pregnancies.

8. Motivation………
Working with youth on a daily basis as
a counsellor and social worker, I am
affected by the way the youth
respond towards the use of condoms
in relation to it being one of the
preferred methods in reducing the
prevalence of Sexually Transmitted
Infections and unplanned
pregnancies.

9. Problem being highlighted
condoms do not feature as a likely
practical and viable choice
Pre-marital abstinence has become
very difficult to promote as marriage
age has also gone up
many youth are getting themselves in
situations that they cannot control
their urge and therefore become
sexually active

10. Problem cont…..
Contrary to popular belief, most
sexually active youth do not
consistently and properly use
condoms
Access to condoms especially from
commercial outlets like shops,
supermarkets is very scaring

11. Problems cont….
They either use them in the onset of a
relationship and abandon it altogether
as it matures. Most of them have
issues on the use of condoms (both
female and male) which borders on
stigmatisation

12. Study approach
Year of study – 2006/7
Length of study = 3 months
Respondents drawn from VCT
Sample size = 250 youths from
various cultural backgrounds
One-to-one interviews and
conversations
FGD

13. Results
The results below provide a synopsis
of what the youth perceive about
condom use

14. Results cont…..
Reduced sensation during sexual
intercourse – 85%
Condom use is associated with
immorality and prostitution – 45%
Its difficult to use (they say it bursts,
unrolls etc.) – 55%
The women feel it might get stuck
inside the vaginal tract – 45%
Its foreign and not African – 20%

15. Results cont…..
The condom is laced with some virus
The condom is laced with a chemical
that sterilizes men

16. Results cont…..
Its promoted by the Western countries as a way of reducing
fertility rates – 20%
It is laced with chemicals that affect and irreversibly reduce
male libido – 45%
Female condoms reduce enjoyment during sex – 85%
A woman who uses female condoms is a prostitute – 40%
Its associated with HIV infection – 65%
Use of condoms reduces the size of the penis – 25%
Collection of semen is a waste of the male seed and one
who use a condom thus reduces chances of fathering
healthy children – 20%

17. Conclusion
The main challenge is change of
attitude especially to new innovations.
People judge our attitude by the way
we react towards them or situations.
.

18. Conclusion cont….
Different cultures and societies have their
own understanding and explanations on
one standard thing. The condom is viewed
differently in any society and some of the
views are so adverse that they stand on
the way of the people enjoying proven
benefits of the condom. This has affected
the gains that would have been made in
contraception and control of HIV and other
STI within the society

19. Thank You
Susan Ihuthia, Peer Education
Programme
Kenya Red Cross Society
Nairobi Branch