Gender and sexuality of youths in Bafoussam and Mbalmayo, Cameroon

Rwenge Mburano Jean-Robert

Abstract

This paperoutlines, while resorting to the gender perspective, the social factors that predispose youths to risky sexual practices using data from a survey of culture, gender, sexual behaviour and STD/AIDS carried out in Cameroon, at Bafoussam (Bamileke area) and Mbalamayo (Bëti area). Analysis revealed that the ideology of masculinity and feminity prevail in the populations studied, but in the Bamileke group, where gender system is unfavourable to women, young people adhere less to these ideologies than their parents. Our data also revealed that the level of the knowledge of the modes of transmission of STD/AIDS and the degree of acceptability of condoms in this group are higher among boys than girls. The young Bëti were more inclined to take risks in sexual activities than the Bamileke. It was equally found that boys were more inclined than girls to be unfaithful to their regular partners, while the boys were more inclined to use condoms than girls. Finally, our data revealed that age and other characteristics of the regular sexual partners of young people influence, among others, the probability of being engaged in risky sex especially among girls. Health education and information programmes can be improved amongst these youth populations by taking into account the totality of these elements. (Afr J Reprod Health 2004; 8[2]: 145-163)

 

Keywords: Comportementssexuels, genre, jeunes, Afrique, Cameroun

Full Text:

PDF

References

FHI. Santé de la reproduction des jeunesadultes : Contraception, grossesse et maladies sexuellementtransmissibles. Modules sur la santé de la Reproduction, FHI, mars 1998, 74p.

Rivers K, et al. Adolescent sexuality, gender and the HIV epidemic. 1997.

Http://www.undp.org/hiv/publications/gender/adolesce.htm .

OMS (2000). Les femmes et le VIH/sida. Aide mémoire 2000; n° 242: 5.

Rwenge M. Sexual risk behaviors among young people in Bamenda, Cameroon. IntFamPlannPersp 2000; 26(3): 118-123.

Abdool K etMorar N. Women and AIDS in Natal/Kwazulu, South Africa: Determinants of the Adoption of HIV Protective Behaviours. Women and AIDS program research report series. Washington DC: International Centre for Research on

Women, 1995.

Uwakwe et al. A Psycho-Educational Program to Motivate and Foster AIDS Preventive Behaviours among Female Nigerian University Students. Final technical report, Women and AIDS Research Program. Washington DC: International Centre for Research on Women, 1994.

Helitzer-Allen D. An Investigation of Community-Based Communication Networks of Adolescent Girls in Rural Malawi for HIV/STD Prevention Messages. Women and AIDS Program Research Report Series. Washington DC: International Centre for Research on Women, 1994.

Vasconcelos et al. Sexuality and AIDS Prevention among Adolescents from Low-Income Communities in Recife, Brazil. Women and AIDS Research Program. Washington DC: International Centre for Research on Women, 1995.

Oyekamni R. Socio-cultural relations in the Nigerian family : implications for AIDS in Africa. In: Becker C, Dozon J-P and Toure M (Eds.). Vivre etPenser le SIDA enAfrique (Experiencing and understanding AIDS in Africa). Codesria Karthala-IRD: Collection HommesetSociétés, 1999, 493-507.

Ampofo A. Nice guys, condoms, and other forms of STDs protection: sex workers and AIDS protection in West Africa. In: Becker C, Dozon J-P and Toure M (Eds.). Vivre etPenser le SIDA enAfrique (Experiencingand Understanding AIDS in Africa). Codesria-Karthala-IRD: Collection HommesetSociétés, 1999, 557-588.

Yana S. A la recherché des modèlesculturels de la fécondité au Cameroun. Uneétudeexploratoireauprès de BamilékéetBëti de la ville et de la campagne. Academia/L'Harmattan, Belgique, Louvain - La Neuve, 1995, 329p.

Rwenge M. Changement Social, Structures FamilialesetFéconditéenAfriquesubsaharienne: Le cas du Cameroun. Cahiers de l'IFORD n°26, IFORD, Yaoundé, 1999a, 247p.

Rwenge, M. Culture, relations de genre etcomportementsprocréateurs au Cameroun. In: TroisièmeConférenceAfricaine de Population, Afrique du Sud, 6-10 décembre 1999, vol. 3, pp. 429-446.

RwengeM etKandem H. Culture, Genre, ComportementsSexuels et MST/SIDA au Cameroun. (Provinces de l'Ouestet du Centre). Cahiers de l'IFORD n° 28, décembre 2002, 265p.

Kabré et al. Rapports de genre, systèmes de genre etchangement social. LocohThetN'Guessan K (Eds.). Genre, Population etDéveloppementenAfrique de l'Ouest, ENSEA-FNUAP, Imprimerie RIA, Abidjan, 1999, 1-12.

Balmer D, et al. Adolescent knowledge, values and coping strategies: implications for health in sub-Saharan Africa. J Adolesc Health 1997; 21: 33-38.

Obbo C. Social science research: understanding and action. In: Becker C, Dozon J-P and Toure M. (Eds.). Vivre etPenser le SIDA enAfrique (Experiencing and Understanding AIDS in Africa). Codesria-Karthala-IRD: Collection HommesetSociétés, 1999, pp. 67-78.

Weiss E, et al. Vulnerability and Opportunity: Adolescents and HIV/AIDS in the Developing World. Washington DC:

International Centre for Research on Women, 1996.

Hurault J. La Structure Sociale des Bamileke. La Haye: Mouton & Co., 1962.

Ombolo. SexeetSociétéenAfrique Noire. Paris: L'Harmattan, 1990.

Alexandre P etBinet J. Le GroupeditPahouin (Fang, Boulou, Beti). Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, pour l'Institut International Africain, 1958.

Calvès EA. Youth and fertility in Cameroon: changing pattern of family formation. Thesis on rural sociology and demography, The Pennsylvania State University, 1996.

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.