STIGMAS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDOM USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS OF SCHOOL GOING AGE AND THEIR EFFECT ON PREVENTION OF HIV AND AIDS AMONG STUDENTS IN SMALL CONSERVATIVE COMMUNITIES OF ZIMBABWE.

The main purpose of the study was to examine stigmas associated with condom purchase and use among adolescents of school going age and their effect on prevention of HIV and AIDS among learners in small conservative communities of Zimbabwe. The study adopted the qualitative research design and was informed by the theory of reasoned action, which explains that people rationally weigh the costs and benefits of engaging in action because of beliefs of possible outcomes that prompt them to act in the ways they act. The study found that in small communities where people knew each other, most shops and out lets that were supposed to provide condoms were no longer ordering them because they did want to be seen as promoting promiscuity and that conservative culture among some adults in the community made it very difficult for adolescents of school going age to access and use condoms .The study further established that purchasing and getting condoms was embarrassing to most adolescents because of social stigmas and labels associated with people who were living with HIV and AIDS. It further established that the adults who were shopkeepers made it difficult for youths of school going age to buy condoms from shops because the shop keepers were judged and interrogated adolescents before selling the condoms to them. The practice was embarrassing and scaring to the youngsters. The study recommended that in closed communities where people knew each other shop keepers were supposed to be young man or ladies who would not scare away youngsters who wanted to buy and use condoms. Furthermore, free condoms should not be put in bottles stores only because bottle stores were places for adults and adolescents who were under 18 years of age were reported to their parents if seen buying condoms. Youth friendly education should be intensified to dispel shyness and lack of confidence to approach and buy condoms from outlets especially among female adolescents. Communities must receive more social education to minimize the use of stigmatizing expressions such as arimubhazi (he is going), arikujucer (putting airtime) statements that scared the youth from accessing condoms. The study also recommended that all professionals working in the industry that focuses on HIV and AIDS prevention should dispel fear associated with HIV and AIDS and help communities realize that HIV and AIDS is just like any other chronic disease that can be managed.