Contemporary Myths, Sexuality Misconceptions, Information Sources, and Risk Perceptions of Bodabodamen in Southwest Uganda

Abstract

This article reports findings from a study conducted among 212 private motorbike-taxi riders, locally called bodabodamen, from two study sites-a slum area and the urban center of Masaka town. Qualitative and quantitative methods were triangulated; a questionnaire, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, case studies, and interactive workshops were all used. There were high levels of awareness of HIV, much more than sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because many participants had closely experienced HIV/AIDS. Knowledge about sexual health contained several misconceptions, misinformation, and myths rooted in both the historical and contemporary social cultural context. Due to high illiteracy levels, bodabodamen cannot access many standard health education materials issued by government and private health organizations through the print and electronic media, as well as those published in languages other than the local vernacular. These (and possibly other) disadvantaged groups remain at risk of HIV and STDs. Especial efforts need to be made to provide appropriate health education.

"Abortion? That's for Women!" Narratives and Experiences of Commercial Motorbike Riders in South-Western Uganda

“…Like most studies, 20,22,41,42 the narratives of our male participants highlight the fact that it is predominantly adolescents (often students) who have abortions in this context. This confirms other reports from Uganda, which claim that 54% of women have their first birth before the age of 18 years, 43% of 15-19-year-olds begin childbearing, and complications of pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortions are the major causes of abortion for women aged 15-19 years.…”

“…However, their attitudes towards contraception were highly ambivalent, their use was mostly sporadic, and their knowledge was highly erroneous. 42 The rampant sexual activity, in combination with low regard for contraception, perhaps explain the prevalent necessity of recourse to abortion as an inevitable and ultimate solution for unwanted sexual health problems. Just as contraception was relegated to the female domain 42 , preliminary data analysis revealed that participants were pushing issues surrounding abortion into the realm of women.…”

Turkish University Students’ Beliefs in Sexual Myths

“…Sexual myths are often exaggerated, incorrect and unscientific ideas, symbols, feelings (guilt, inadequacy, anxiety, fear of failure) on sexual topics that people believe to be true [9]. They are predetermined judgments that limit the free experience of sexuality [4,10,11].…”

The Sexual Beliefs of Turkish Men: Comparing the Beliefs of Men With and Without Erectile Dysfunction

“…These misinformed beliefs and false ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 4 expectations can affect the attitudes and behaviors of individuals regarding their sexuality (Nyanzi et al, 2005;Baker, & DeSilva, 1988;Nobre, Pinto-Gouveia, & Gomes, 2003). The exact effect of beliefs on sexual functioning is beginning to attract attention following some clinical studies.…”