Factors affecting the male-female differences in condom perceptions and use in rural Malawi

This is a quantitative study focused on social and cultural factors that influence condom use among men and women regarding the prevention of HIV transmission in Malawi. Through the use of logistic regression models this chapter examines the factors that influence condom use between men and women in rural areas of Malawi. The results of the analysis indicate statistically significant differences between men and women in terms of the factors which influence condom use. For females, we found a positive association between condom use and gender related variables. On the other hand, the major factor influencing condom use for men was worrying about contracting HIV from partners outside of marriage. Thus fear of risk of contracting HIV in non-marital relationships was the major driver for men to adopt condom use. The results also indicated that there was a general lack of acceptance of condom use within marriage among men and women in rural Malawi.