AFRO-NETS> Why African teens won't wear condoms

[David Patient <drp@mweb.co.za>]

Why African teens won't wear condoms
------------------------------------
Source: "Health-L [Zambia]" <health-l@hivnet.ch>

Good day to you.

David Patient here from Condom Concepts and Latex Surgical 
Products, Africa's only condom manufacturing company. The rea-
son I am writing this posting is to share what we have found as 
a result of numerous focus groups held around South Africa over 
the past few months. I met with 78 young adults, aged 16-22 
years old in an effort to understand what it will take to get 
the youth to wear condoms. [We launched a new range of youth 
based condoms, hence the research]. 

1. Condoms need to be available where ever youth gather or 
'hang out'. Most cited not wearing condoms due to availability. 
Most simply don't have the courage to approach pharmacies and 
chemists or request condoms from clinics. Many of these par-
ticipants said they were tired of being told that they should-
n't be having sex or being refused condoms because the person 
who is supposed to be distributing them impose their morality 
on the youth. 

2. Black youth do not want standard neutral coloured condoms. 
"As a black man, why should I have to use a white condom?" [the 
normal colour is a milky white]. 

3. The size of the male penis appears to also have a direct im-
pact on the use or non-use of the condom. [The male penis is 
not fully developed until age 20+, so why require a person to 
wear a size ten shoe when what they need is a size 6.... The 
same is true for condoms. The one-size-fits-all approach is 
causing more harm than good as teens won't wear condoms if they 
fear embarrassment or the condom coming off because it is too 
large for their penis. 

4. Condoms need to be fun and not the sterile condoms most 
agencies distribute. [I showed them a range of colourful and 
fruity scented condoms we produce and the response was very 
positive. When I explained the size differences and why this 
was important, they all become very enthusiastic. I gave them 
samples and asked for feedback. These teens are all sexually 
active and that is why I chose them for this process.] 

The feedback supports what I have stated here as most reported 
enjoying the condoms, the colour range, the different scents 
and the fact that they could have ribbed and dotted condoms in 
sizes that made sex more enjoyable and fun. 

5. Pricing did not seem to be an issue for most, it was more 
about accessibility and the reality that these teens would pre-
fer to purchase their condoms from their peers or younger sales 
people, not someone who is old enough to be their parent. 

6. Most reported that they would prefer to purchase their con-
doms in a non-medical setting, i.e. pharmacies, clinics etc. 
They would prefer to purchase them from the same stores they 
buy their clothing from or at youth centres. 

7. Most would prefer to purchase condoms as they do not trust 
the condoms made available from Governments [trust was the main 
issue for rejecting free condoms.] 

8. All stated they wanted variety when it came to choosing a 
condom and they want the same ranges available for adult males, 
yet size specific.

I hope this information will help some of the people reading 
this posting. If I can be of any assistance to you, please con-
tact me directly:

mailto:drp@mweb.co.za

and I will be happy to share whatever I can with you.


David Patient 
HIV+, 17 years
mailto:drp@mweb.co.za

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