Women’s Autonomy and Attitudes toward Condom Use: A Multicountry Analysis

ABSTRACT

Autonomy gives women the ability to negotiate safe sex and make decisions on their health. This study explores the gender stratification framework to understand the intertwined nature of HIV and women’s autonomy using the nationally representative Demographic Health Survey. It examines women’s autonomy and attitudes toward condom use for prevention of HIV/AIDS in four culturally diverse countries. Findings from the logistic regression indicate that labor force participation, individual autonomy, and decision making significantly increased the odds of always using a condom during sex in all countries. Promoting prevention policies highlighting women’s autonomy may contribute in reducing the spread of HIV infection.

KEYWORDS:

• Autonomy
• women
• HIV/AIDS
• cultural context
• decision-making
• social stratification
• Africa
• Asia
• gender