Culture and Marriage: The Dual Barriers to Condom Use among Health Care Providers in Tshwane, South Africa

The use of condom will provide men and women 100% protection against HIV and AIDS infection. However, the acceptability of condom use in sexual relations including marriage is confronted with culturally entrenched barriers. Health care providers as being socialised within the communities with specific cultures also experience barriers regarding condom use.

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe culture and marriage as barriers regarding condom use among health care providers in Tshwane.

A qualitative, focused ethnography design was used. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews using three research questions. The population included health care providers who were responsible for provision of HIV and AIDS programmes in selected health care settings in Tshwane. Purposive sampling was used and ethical principles were upheld. Trustworthiness was ensured.

Results indicated that irrespective of health care providers being knowledgeable on condom use, when faced with condom use in their sexual relationships they are confronted by culturally entrenched barriers. Marriage becomes a barrier for condom use as it is culturally embedded. Norms and values determining men and women’s behaviour in a relationship stipulate that men are decision makers. As such, health care providers’ sexual partners refuse to use condoms.

It is recommended that culturally sensitive programmes be developed and health care providers receive appropriate training to address culture and marriage as barriers regarding condom use in their sexual relationships.

Key words: health care providers, condom use, barriers, culture and marriage.