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Culture, Health & Sexuality
An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care
Volume 10, 2008 - Issue 2
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SHORT REPORT

Perceptions of anal sex in rural South Africa

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Pages 205-212 | Published online: 04 Feb 2008
 

Abstract

As part of the Microbicides Development Programme, we conducted formative research to explore perceptions of anal sex at a site in rural KwaZulu‐Natal. We were interested in the practice of anal sex because of its potential role in HIV transmission. Eleven focus group discussions were conducted with men and women from rural areas and in a semi‐urban township. Participants were asked about their knowledge of and attitudes towards anal sex, and its practice in the local population. Findings indicate that in discussion anal sex was confused with other non‐traditional sexual practices like vaginal sex ‘dog‐style’ and with oral sex. Discussion of anal sex among those who had heard about it linked it to socially marginal groups and asymmetrical power relations.

Résumé

Dans le cadre du Programme de Développement des Microbicides, nous avons mené une recherche formative pour explorer les perceptions sur le sexe anal, dans un site du Kwazulu‐Natal rural. Nous nous intéressions à cette pratique sexuelle en raison de son rôle potentiel dans la transmission du VIH. Onze discussions de groupes focus ont été menées avec des hommes et des femmes vivant dans des zones rurales et dans un township semi urbain. Les participants ont été interrogés sur leurs connaissances sur le sexe anal et sur leurs attitudes vis‐à‐vis de cette pratique, et sur sa pratique dans leurs communautés. Les résultats indiquent qu'au cours des discussions le sexe anal a été confondu avec d'autres pratiques sexuelles non traditionnelles telles que le coït vaginal « à la manière des chiens » et le sexe oral. Les discussions sur le sexe anal, parmi ceux des participants qui en avaient entendu parler, ont établi un lien entre cette pratique et des groupes marginaux, ainsi que des relations de pouvoir asymétriques.

Resumen

Como parte del Programa para el Desarrollo de Microbicidas, llevamos a cabo un estudio formativo para analizar cómo se entiende el sexo anal en una zona rural de Kwa Zulu Natal. Nos interesaba especialmente conocer la práctica del sexo anal debido a su importante rol en la transmisión del virus del sida. Se organizaron once charlas de grupos de discusión con hombres y mujeres de áreas rurales y de un municipio semiurbano. Se pidió a los participantes que explicasen qué conocían del sexo anal y qué opinaban de esta práctica en la población local. Los resultados indican que en las charlas se confundía el sexo anal con otras prácticas sexuales no tradicionales como el sexo vaginal al estilo perrito y con el sexo oral. En la discusión sobre el sexo anal, los que habían oído hablar de esta práctica la vinculaban socialmente a grupos marginales y relaciones de poder asimétrico.

Acknowledgement

The Microbicides Feasibility Study in Preparation for Phase III Microbicide Trials in the Hlabisa Sub‐district, South Africa, was conducted with a grant from DFID (Grant number G0100137) through the UK Medical Research Council. The authors would like to thank study participants and the following for facilitating the focus group discussions: the late Bonisiwe Mfekayi, Matsemela Moloi, Thandile Shandu and Wandile Manqele. We also thank Susan Watkins for comments on an earlier draft of this paper and the anonymous reviewers.

Notes

1. May not make sense in English but this represents the attempts to conceptualize an idea not known in this community. The bracketed terms in italics are used for referring to the anus in Zulu language.

2. Enkomeni translates as ‘in the cow’. In Zulu the euphemism for vagina is a cow, derived from the cattle which are the bride price (malobolo).

3. A television series (1, 2, 3) shown by the South African Broadcasting Corporation since 2001 featuring experiences of Black teenagers at school and in the community more generally. The main character, Zakes is a gangster turned good guy. Yizo yizo means ‘the way it is’ in Zulu.

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