Non-utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and products in Namibia: An evaluation of men perspective
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Date
2012
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of Namibian men who do not use sexual and reproductive health services and products and investigate factors that influence non-use of these services and products. The study makes use of the data from the 2006-07 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey. A subset of 3373 sexual experience men was analyzed. Odds ratios, with 95% confidence interval using binary logistic regression were calculated to detect level of significance. Overall, the results show that sexually active men in Namibia engage in risky sexual behaviors. A high proportion of sexually active men do not also use sexual and reproductive health services which are available in the country. Only 36.6 percent reported that they had taken an HIV test. Non-use of condom at last intercourse and never gone for HIV test were associated with inaccessibility to family planning messages, inadequate knowledge of awareness campaigns on condom use and HIV prevention, inappropriate sexual behavior including having multiple sexual partners and casual relationships as well as socio-demographic characteristics of respondents (age, education level and marital status). The study concludes that, there is a need to mobilize and sensitize men on the availability and existence of sexual and reproductive health services and products as well as to encourage and support developments of intervention and sexual behavioral change initiatives targeting men. Qualitative methods to enhance understanding of the process surrounding the decision to go for HIV test and of the effect of stigma on testing behavior should be further explored. Male involvement in programs of sexual and reproductive health nature in Namibia should be revived and strengthening condom distribution system in rural areas would also go a long way to address the non-use of condoms among men in Namibia
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Keywords
Reproductive health, HIV, Condome use
Citation
Indongo, N., & Neema, I. (2012). Non-utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and products in Namibia: an evaluation of men perspective. African Journal of Social Sciences, 2(4), 125-138.