title: Male engagement in women's microbicide use in Kenya: Navigating gender norms.
abstract: The success of women's microbicide use for HIV/AIDS prevention may hinge on health programs' ability to engage men to support it. In this qualitative study in Kenya, most women did not or would not tell their partners prior to initiating use, and/or would use despite their objections. Men generally did not agree with this, yet male partners of trial participants who discovered that their partners were using microbicides without their knowledge did not seem concerned. Findings suggest that efforts to engage men in microbicide use should avoid "awakening" patriarchal gender norms, and support women to use microbicides without involving their partners.
authors.affiliation: a Independent Consultant , Washington, DC , USA.
authors.forename: Sidney Ruth
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: b Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bukusi
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D065129:Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents