To the Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania, none of the methods most commonly proposed to prevent the spread of HIV are acceptable. Sexual abstinence, fidelity and condom use are not acceptable in a culture that prizes fertility, and believes the flow of semen is essential for a girl’s body to mature.

The London School of Economics carried out a study into the sexual norms and behaviours of the Maasai in order to understand why condom use was low in the area. Maasai youths undergo circumcision and are then expected to enter into sexual relationships with pre-pubescent unmarried girls. In theory the girls choose their sexual partners, however in reality they are put under pressure by older women or young men and often have little choice. As a result, girls as young as eight who attend clinics have been found to have sexually transmitted infections. The early age of sexual activity, together with high fertility levels, means mother-to-child HIV infection is a serious concern.

The study was carried out in September 2002 in rural Tanzania with 35 Maasai men and women. The volunteers completed a questionnaire individually and then took part in a group discussion. There were four groups, two for women and two for men. Most of the volunteers were, or had been, married and half of the men had more than one wife. The study found that information about condoms was limited and was in Swahili, not in the local language, Maa. Local people also had little access to condoms. For example, condoms were sold in the bars of tourist hotels, which locals are not allowed to use.

The study showed that:

• Everyone interviewed had heard of ‘biitia’ – HIV. However, the word ‘biitia’ means ‘to shrink’ in the Maa language and covers various different diseases which cause weight loss.
• They believed HIV infection could be prevented by avoiding sex, knives, razors, needles and blood transfusions. Other methods included praying, avoiding kissing, sharing toothbrushes or toilets, and touching other people’s clothes or sweat.
• While 86 percent had heard of condoms, only 17 percent knew how to use them.
• Only 15 percent knew that using a condom was a way of avoiding HIV infection.

In the group discussions, the following views were expressed:

• Condoms are not effective because the fluid would escape, the condom would be worn incorrectly or it would burst and cause the woman health problems.
• Young men and young girls would not use condoms because it is necessary for men to give semen to women.
• Husbands and wives could not use condoms because the purpose of sex was procreation.
• Condoms were considered to be alien. They were described as ‘Swahili’, rather than ‘Maasai’.

New technologies in the fight against HIV are being developed, which could be more culturally acceptable to the Maasai. Microbicides are being developed for women to insert into the vagina. These microbicides, which destroy disease-carrying bacteria without harming sperm, would benefit societies where semen and fertility are highly valued.

Source(s):
‘Wasting Semen: Context and Condom Use Among the Maasai’, Culture, Health & Sexuality 9 (4), pages 387-401, by Ernestina Coast, 2007 Full document.

Funded by: Danish International Development Agency

id21 Research Highlight: 18 February 2008

Further Information:
Ernestina Coast
Department of Social Policy
London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE, UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 6335
Fax: +44 (0)20 7955 7415
Contact the contributor: e.coast@lse.ac.uk

Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

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‘Doing it differently? Sexual behaviour around the world’

‘Dual purpose: condom use rises among young single African women’

‘Are Nepal’s young migrant garment and carpet factory workers vulnerable to HIV?’