Use of condoms as prevention against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa, which is one of the most deprived regions in the world, suffers most from the trauma of HIV/AIDS. About 70% of HIV/AIDS cases in the world are recorded in this region. The AIDS burden has aggravated the socioeconomic problems of the region; therefore, there is the urgent need to introduce the use of condoms, which is about the most effective strategy apart from abstinence, in controlling the upsurge of the pandemic which has the potential of annihilating the human race. Unfortunately, false perceptions, cultural barriers, personal factors such as lack of satisfaction for its use, stigmatization and embarrassment associated with its purchase in some communities, among others, are constraining the use of condoms as a preventive method. The book reviews works on barriers to the effective use of condoms in sub-Saharan Africa, presents and analyses an empirical work undertaken in a suburban area in Ghana, and recommends policy directions. Besides, a model on the use of condom in sub-Saharan Africa has been designed to guide further research on the problem in the region and other developing regions in the world where the disease is predominant.

Autorentext

O Professor Dr. Daniel Buor é Professor de Geografia da Saúde e da Doença na Universidade de Ciência e Tecnologia Kwame Nkrumah, em Kumasi-Gana. Os seus interesses de investigação incluem a utilização dos serviços de saúde, o ambiente e a saúde das mulheres, a utilização do preservativo, o controlo da fertilidade, a pobreza e a saúde. Faz revisões para várias revistas.