Chapter 5 How selected population groups in Boksburg mining community respond to HIV/AIDS prevention/behaviour
5.5 Peoples' response to HIV/AIDS/STI prevention activities in a selected mining community within Boksburg
5.5.4 Lack of positive attitude /motivation to change
It has been reported in this study that some people in the selected groups do not have the motivation to adopt safer sexual behaviours. For instance, some respondents reported that people have negative views about condoms. In one counseling session, the wellness coordinator at the ERMP Far East shaft clinic reported that even after a demonstration to dispel some popular belief that condoms had worms inside; a miner still argued that he can not use it anyway.
'...I put it on the sun with some water and there was nothing coming out from there. And I said to the guy, so now what do you say, and he said probably this is another condom. And I said either the condom you used had already been used by someone, and still got rotten sperms, which caused the worms, not the condom itself. I actually tried with 2 or 3 condoms to show him that he was wrong and eventually he accepted. But he still said, anyway condoms are not nice; to me I want flesh to flesh'.
(Wellness coordinator, ERMP, Boksburg
In a related interview with a vendor doing business at Cinderella miners' hostel, it was mentioned that some people argue that condoms burst; that is why they would not prefer them.
'In this community, people ask questions about condoms. They say that even if you use it, it bursts, so they would rather not use it because there is no difference' (Vendor, Cinderella miners' hostel, Boksburg town centraltown centralcentral)
In another interview, a respondent argued that people generally do not believe that condoms can protect from infection. This respondent opined that many people; particularly miners and taxi drivers at Cinderella miners' hostel believe their friends or traditional healers, who in most cases present untrue and erroneous information.
For instance, one respondent reported that some miners believe that condoms themselves got HIV, and they believe this information other than the truth that condoms are in fact crucial for STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention. However, there are some who believe that condoms are indeed important when it comes to preventing HIV/AIDS or STIs, irrespective of popular misconceptions against them.
'I know condoms were brought by government as a way of protecting people from catching HIV, but people in their
knowledge they say that condoms can kill us. These things happen because many people do not believe that sexual intercourse should be done using condoms even though they see people dying'. (Miner, Cinderella miners' hostel)
Although some respondents have generally reported negative perceptions on condoms, there are some who have contrary opinion about this matter. In one interview with a commercial sex worker, there was a rather positive remark about condoms as can be noted in the excerpt below;
'...myself I trust that a condom works. I know they protect from these diseases because you know the things remain inside in the condom. But also do you think government lies about these things?
I don't think so. (Commercial sex worker, Central Hotel, Boksburg town central)
On the same note, another interviewee argued that people should not create all sorts of stories about condoms, because on a major part, prevention for HIV/AIDS or STIs is more of an individual attitude and choice. This respondent argued that nobody in this particular community would really claim that they have not heard enough about HIV/AIDS, particularly how it is spread and how to prevent it. But that they just chose not to believe whatever they have heard about HIV/AIDS.
'I think people in this community they know about these things.
Do you think they don't know? They know the consequences of these behaviours. They know that they that it is dangerous. They know all these things but they ignore it...' (Office worker, Boksburg town central)
Another interviewer argued that it is more of peoples' own choice to get infected other than ignorance all other factors. The interviewee maintained that government and NGOs have done their best to ensure awareness about these issues but people choose to ignore this knowledge.
Tthink nowadays it is more of one's choice, other than blaming other factors. Myself I chose to protect myself in this job, because I know my life is my life. I don't wanna die, I want to live long so I can see my kids. So I always use condoms whenever I want to have intercourse. So I think it's what you want and what you choose...' (Commercial sex worker, Central Hotel, Boksburg town Central)
Similar views were also reported in an interview with a Taxi driver doing business at Cinderella miners' hostel. This respondent argued that other people say that it is cultural factors or traditional beliefs which encourage them to engage in risky sexual behaviours. The interviewee countered this assertion arguing that there is however no traditional beliefs which tells people not to use condoms.
' / think it is peoples' own will not to follow proper ways of behaving. I don't think there are beliefs that stops people from using condoms to protect themselves. It is rather peoples' own will. If I don't want condoms that's it, not tradition'. Taxi driver, Cinderella, Boksburg.
This respondent stressed that as far as he's concerned; people follow their own will and use their own arguments to justify their risky behaviours. In such situations, risky sexual behaviours persist. However, although this respondent down-played the influence of traditional beliefs in influencing sexual beliefs and practices, some respondents reported that for people with lower education ( such as those from the rural, like miners) such beliefs are more revered and held with higher esteem than information from health personnel.
In fact, this situation indicates the need for partnership between organizations implementing HIV/AIDS or behaviour change activities with local authorities (traditional leaders) and custodians of culture, in reinforcing dissemination of true and relevant information to the people.