Abstract
Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the risk behaviors that are drivers of the HIV epidemic among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia using a focus group research technique. Subjects and methods: Eighteen adolescent couples (n=18 females and 18 males) aged 16-24 participated in six focus groups discussions (3 per gender) convened at three health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Focus group moderators utilized a set of open-ended questions to guide the 60-minute sessions. The focus group audio recordings were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis in Nvivo 11. Results: Three themes and four subthemes were identified relating to adolescent and young adult couples’ knowledge, views, and male partner attitudes toward intravaginal practices (IVPs). The first theme, knowledge and rationale for IVPs, consisted of the subthemes relating to why adolescents and young adult couples engage in IVPs and assessed their knowledge of health risks associated with IVPs. The second theme, attitudes toward IVPs, consisted of the subtheme willingness to stop or support partner to discontinue IVP and practices toward IVP and strategies for changing. The third theme, strategies for changing IVPs, consisted of the subtheme raise awareness. Conclusion: IVPs used for cleaning purposes were perceived as essential to enhancing hygiene, health, and sexual satisfaction for both girls and boys. However, couples expressed concern about the health effects of IVPs used for tightening and a desire for learning more about this practice as well as stopping it.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 49-56 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | International Journal of Women's Health |
| Volume | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Focus groups
- HIV
- Sexually transmitted infection
- Zambia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternity and Midwifery
Cite this
Adolescent and young adult couples’ views of intravaginal practices : A qualitative analysis of a pilot study. / Moise, Imelda; De Joya, Evan; Caplan, Benjamin; Rodriguez, Violeta J.; Butts, Stefani; Chisembele, Maureen; Weiss, Stephen M; Jones, Deborah; Alcaide, Maria L.
In: International Journal of Women's Health, Vol. 11, 01.01.2019, p. 49-56.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Adolescent and young adult couples’ views of intravaginal practices
T2 - A qualitative analysis of a pilot study
AU - Moise, Imelda
AU - De Joya, Evan
AU - Caplan, Benjamin
AU - Rodriguez, Violeta J.
AU - Butts, Stefani
AU - Chisembele, Maureen
AU - Weiss, Stephen M
AU - Jones, Deborah
AU - Alcaide, Maria L
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the risk behaviors that are drivers of the HIV epidemic among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia using a focus group research technique. Subjects and methods: Eighteen adolescent couples (n=18 females and 18 males) aged 16-24 participated in six focus groups discussions (3 per gender) convened at three health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Focus group moderators utilized a set of open-ended questions to guide the 60-minute sessions. The focus group audio recordings were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis in Nvivo 11. Results: Three themes and four subthemes were identified relating to adolescent and young adult couples’ knowledge, views, and male partner attitudes toward intravaginal practices (IVPs). The first theme, knowledge and rationale for IVPs, consisted of the subthemes relating to why adolescents and young adult couples engage in IVPs and assessed their knowledge of health risks associated with IVPs. The second theme, attitudes toward IVPs, consisted of the subtheme willingness to stop or support partner to discontinue IVP and practices toward IVP and strategies for changing. The third theme, strategies for changing IVPs, consisted of the subtheme raise awareness. Conclusion: IVPs used for cleaning purposes were perceived as essential to enhancing hygiene, health, and sexual satisfaction for both girls and boys. However, couples expressed concern about the health effects of IVPs used for tightening and a desire for learning more about this practice as well as stopping it.
AB - Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the risk behaviors that are drivers of the HIV epidemic among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia using a focus group research technique. Subjects and methods: Eighteen adolescent couples (n=18 females and 18 males) aged 16-24 participated in six focus groups discussions (3 per gender) convened at three health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia. Focus group moderators utilized a set of open-ended questions to guide the 60-minute sessions. The focus group audio recordings were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis in Nvivo 11. Results: Three themes and four subthemes were identified relating to adolescent and young adult couples’ knowledge, views, and male partner attitudes toward intravaginal practices (IVPs). The first theme, knowledge and rationale for IVPs, consisted of the subthemes relating to why adolescents and young adult couples engage in IVPs and assessed their knowledge of health risks associated with IVPs. The second theme, attitudes toward IVPs, consisted of the subtheme willingness to stop or support partner to discontinue IVP and practices toward IVP and strategies for changing. The third theme, strategies for changing IVPs, consisted of the subtheme raise awareness. Conclusion: IVPs used for cleaning purposes were perceived as essential to enhancing hygiene, health, and sexual satisfaction for both girls and boys. However, couples expressed concern about the health effects of IVPs used for tightening and a desire for learning more about this practice as well as stopping it.
KW - Bacterial vaginosis
KW - Focus groups
KW - HIV
KW - Sexually transmitted infection
KW - Zambia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063367064&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85063367064&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2147/IJWH.S180233
DO - 10.2147/IJWH.S180233
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85063367064
VL - 11
SP - 49
EP - 56
JO - International Journal of Women's Health
JF - International Journal of Women's Health
SN - 1179-1411
ER -