Condom use at last sex by young men in Ethiopia: the effect of descriptive and injunctive norms
Outcomes: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study highlights the importance of changing community-level norms that stigmatize condom use among young men. Programs should encourage open peer communication and reduce shame related to seeking condoms. Addressing broader attitudes toward premarital sex, masculinity, and gender relationships is essential to creating an environment where young men feel empowered to protect their health.
Objectives This study aimed to examine how social norms—specifically descriptive and injunctive norms—influence condom use at last sex among sexually active, never-married young men in Ethiopia. It also investigated whether injunctive norms moderated the effect of descriptive norms, using the Theory of Normative Social Behavior.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2016 with males aged 15 to 24 across five regions in Ethiopia. The analytic sample included 260 sexually active, never-married young men. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the influence of social norms on condom use at last sex. Descriptive norms were measured by whether participants knew a friend who had used condoms, and injunctive norms were assessed by their concern about community judgment if they were known to need condoms.
Results The study found that young men who knew of a friend who had ever used condoms (descriptive norm) were significantly more likely to use condoms at last sex. Conversely, those who were concerned about what people in their community would think if they needed condoms (injunctive norm) were significantly less likely to use condoms. The study did not find a significant moderating effect of injunctive norms on the relationship between descriptive norms and condom use. Additionally, living closer to youth-friendly health facilities was associated with higher condom use, as was higher socioeconomic status.
Conclusions Social norms significantly influence condom use among unmarried young men in Ethiopia. While knowing a peer who has used condoms encourages condom use, fear of social judgment can deter it. However, the interaction between these two types of norms is not straightforward and may vary by individual. Access to supportive, age-appropriate services also contributes to increased condom use.
Norms Addressed
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disclaimer: These summaries were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and are based on the interpretation of source documents. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, there may be errors or omissions. Users are encouraged to consult the original documents for complete and authoritative information.