New study about reproductive health among refugees

A new baseline study to determine reproductive knowledge among young refugees in South Africa’s most populous province shows that although there is a general awareness about HIV/AIDS, specific knowledge about how the disease is transmitted and prevention strategies is “alarmingly low”. The study was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) on behalf of UNHCR among refugees aged 10-24 in Gauteng Province. According to the findings, about 89 percent of the total sample had “reportedly” heard about AIDS. Among the 10-14 year olds, the figure was 68 percent, 91 percent among 15-19 year olds and 92 percent of 20-24 year olds. “Of concern is the number of respondents aged 10 to 14 who reportedly have not heard of AIDS (32 percent),” said the report. “Significantly, 48 percent ... of all Somalis reportedly have not heard of AIDS.” It added that in response to the question “do you worry that you could get AIDS?”, 40 percent of 20-24 year olds, and 30 percent of 15-19 year olds said “they do not worry” about getting AIDS. Most people cited unprotected sex or sex with many partners as the principal causes of contracting HIV/AIDS. According to the study, violence against women was “widely accepted” by both male and female refugees and was often seen as an “expression of love, or as a necessary means of disciplining a woman”. One in 10 of those interviewed reported that they had been raped. “One in five respondents (male and female) believe that is a woman’s fault if she is raped. Fear of social stigma, rejection and ridicule contribute to the creation of a context in which a significant minority (17 percent) of refugees believes that rape should be kept quiet,” said the report. The study noted that there was a “marked discrepancy” between known contraceptive methods and actual usage. The male condom was the best-known method, said the report, and yet had a 37 percent and 44 percent reported usage among the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups respectively. “Forty percent of respondents (males and females) aged 15-24 years say that it is not acceptable for a woman to ask her partner to use a condom,” noted the report. “Women express discomfort at requesting condom use, as this is reportedly seen as a challenge to ‘male power or authority’ or as an indication of infidelity in the relationship.” One in three women interviewed said they relied on “natural or traditional methods” such as the rhythm or calendar method. “Knowledge about existing family planning services is low. Less than half the respondents reportedly knew where the nearest family clinic is,” said the report. The CSVR website: http://www.wits.ac.za/csvr/