title: Tackling sexually transmitted infection burden in Ugandan communities living in the United Kingdom: a qualitative analysis of the socio-cultural interpretation of disease and condom use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite being in a different country and social environment, Ugandans living in the UK still reportedly have the lowest rates of condom usage and one of the highest incidences of STIs in UK. In Uganda, STIs and HIV prevalence has been reported to be on the increase. Understanding peoples' beliefs and the attitudes that influence their behavior is a key factor to effectively designing control programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study that interviewed 37 purposively selected Ugandans living in the UK was conducted. Lay theories and interpretations were derived using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Condoms generally carried a lot of stigma and were perceived for use primarily in extramarital affairs and pregnancy control. HIV/AIDS was most feared due to its perceived socio-psychological or physical effects unlike other STIs described as "non-threatening" due to wide availability of "quality" treatment in UK. Notions of trust, the purpose of relationships, symptom recognition and partner selection greatly influenced decisions to undertake consistent condom use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The socio-cultural understanding of STIs, sex, trust and relationships are symbolic in influencing consistent condom use among Ugandans. This indicates a need to acknowledge community beliefs and values about sexual health and design messages about STIs and condoms that would help eliminate these serious condom-related misconceptions.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
authors.forename: Esther Cathyln
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Atukunda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
authors.forename: Godfrey R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Mugyenyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oloro
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University.
authors.forename: Skye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014454:Uganda / Q000208:ethnology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Ugandan communities; disease and condom use; sexually transmitted infection; socio-cultural interpretation