Prospects for increased condom use within marriage in Thailand
Knodel, J.; Pramualratana, A.
International Family Planning Perspectives 22(3): 97-102
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0190-3187 DOI: 10.2307/2950749Document Number: 313693
Systematically collected qualitative information on the social, cultural and psychological factors that affect the acceptability of condom use within marriage in Thailand, is discussed. The transmission of HIV from infected husbands to their wives is an important component of the AIDS epidemic in Thailand. Although the value of the condom in reducing the spread of HIV is well-known among Thai men and women, the rate of condom use for contraception among married couples has never exceeded 2%. Focus groups and individual interviews with both urban and provincial Thai men and women revealed a number of formidable barriers to increasing the rate of marital condom use (condoms are widely perceived as interfering with male sexual pleasure and they are primarily considered to be a prophylactic for use with prostitutes). It is suggested that general promotion of condoms for use during extramarital sex, together with advocacy of voluntary HIV testing for individuals at high risk of infection and counselling for those testing positive, are practical recommendations.