Muula Adamson S
Department of Community Health, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Malawi.
Afr Health Sci. 2006 Mar;6(1):21-6. doi: 10.5555/afhs.2006.6.1.21.
Correct and consistent use of condoms has been reported as effective in the prevention of transmission of HIV. There have been many studies reporting on attitudes (perceptions) of communities on condoms and other aspects of HIV and AIDS and yet there is paucity of data on the perception towards condoms and abstinence by law makers.
To determine perceptions of Members of Parliament in Malawi towards condoms.
A qualitative study utilising parliamentary Hansards to describe the discussions about condoms and abstinence in the National Assembly 1999-2004. Content and discourse analyses were used.
In general, Members of Parliament had negative attitudes towards extra- and/or pre-marital sexual intercourse, condom promotion and use. Sexual abstinence amongst non-married persons was preferred as opposed to condom use. Condom use was not perceived as an effective way of controlling the spread of HIV. Some MPs though called for a change in mind-set so as to allow use of condoms in prisons, in order to prevent transmission of infection from prisoners to the general community once the prisoners were released.
This study confirms that health interventions such as condoms are not perceived neutrally and may be construed as the enemy of society.
据报道，正确且持续使用避孕套对预防艾滋病毒传播有效。已有许多研究报告了社区对避孕套以及艾滋病毒和艾滋病其他方面的态度（认知），然而关于立法者对避孕套和禁欲的认知的数据却很匮乏。
确定马拉维议会议员对避孕套的认知。
一项定性研究，利用议会记录来描述1999 - 2004年国民议会中关于避孕套和禁欲的讨论。采用了内容分析和话语分析。
总体而言，议员们对婚外和/或婚前性行为、避孕套推广和使用持负面态度。比起使用避孕套，他们更倾向于非已婚人士禁欲。避孕套使用未被视为控制艾滋病毒传播的有效方式。不过，一些议员呼吁改变观念，以便在监狱中允许使用避孕套，以防止囚犯获释后将感染传播给普通社区。
本研究证实，诸如避孕套之类的健康干预措施并非被中立看待，可能会被视为社会的敌人。
