Part I: Understanding Safer Sex Practices in Regards to Zimbabwean Marriage

Q1. What was the research question(s) that guided the investigation? In other words, what was the purpose(s) of the study?

Despite widespread knowledge of the importance of safer sex practices, including the use of condoms, AIDS/HIV remains a significant risk in Zimbabwe. This study by Mugweni (et al., 2015) attempted to identify personal and structural barriers which exist for married Zimbabwean women in the practice of safer sex.

Q2. Describe the subjects (target audience) of the research, including gender, number of each gender, the characteristics of the subjects (e.g., all were diabetic Hispanic women between the ages of 25-44 living in urban areas of the southeastern United States).

According to the researchers, 33 married Zimbabwean men and 31 women between the ages of 35-44 years of age were selected to participate in the study.

Q3. How was theory used to guide the research study? Be specific and clear.

The study did not explicitly make use of an overarching theory to guide its approach. Its specific intention to determine how better attempt to empower married women to act as self-advocates may be rooted in feminist or womens theory. Its specific emphasis on cultural barriers to safe sex within marriage highlights a multicultural, community focused approach to health.

Q4. Describe the research techniques, procedures, methods used to conduct the research study; this includes the general plan of the study (e.g., what did the researchers do to whom).

This study was qualitative in its construction. It was Phase 2 of a larger research study. The phase encompassed 36 in-depth...

Individual, relational, and community-level barriers were identified over the course of both phases.

Q5. Describe the main results of the study as they relate to the research question(s). Were there any limitations noted in the study? If so, what were they?

Significant cultural barriers were identified in enabling women to act as self-advocates for safer sex within the context of marriage. This is significant in a society where a very high percentage of all individuals are married. Limitations included the fact that participants were interviewed...

…family and community leader support to support divorce and negotiating safer sex with husbands was deemed critical. It is important to communicate that safer sex is not a license for infidelity, but rather the better option than risking a serious illness.

Q5. Brainstorm some types of interventions that could be developed when working with this population on this topic. How similar/different were your suggestions for interventions compared to those made by the authors?

One problem with this option is it still leaves women significantly economically disempowered and is no guarantee husbands will accept condom use if they find it uncomfortable or limiting. Creating shelters for women in domestically unstable or abusive relationships, having community leaders and families support women leaving their husbands, if husbands refuse to grant divorces or practice safer sex, and creating a campaign condemning men who refuse to practice safe sex and who lash out at women who refuse to comply with demands for condom use is a more aggressive and perhaps needed campaign to empower women. Public shaming of such men, versus gentle pressure may…