Citation

Breny JM, Lombardi DC. Glob. Health Promot. 2019; 26(1): 6-14.

Affiliation

2 Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1757975916679362

PMID

28151066

Abstract

Incidence and prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to increase among young heterosexual men and women in the United States. Although research studies examine the reasons why these young people are not engaging in safe sex behavior, many have not explored factors beyond individual behaviors. Much of the current research focuses on young women, for the most part leaving men out of the equation. In this study, a Photovoice methodology was used to examine social norms, media messaging and perceptions of responsibility surrounding safe sex practices, specifically condom use, among male heterosexual undergraduate students.

RESULTS showed that college-aged men are still prioritizing pregnancy prevention over disease prevention, which leads to assumptions that their female partners are on birth control and they do not need to use condoms. Participants pointed to media messages and condom placement that supports women's responsibility for safer sex and condom negotiation. Future health promotion research and practice should focus on including men in the design and implementation process to address social norms and increase their sense of responsibility.

Language: en

Keywords

Photovoice; college men; condoms; qualitative research; safer sex responsibility; sexually transmitted infections