This study investigates the relationship between cultural factors and youth attitudes and the
implication of this relationship for the use of condoms in preventing HIV infection. The study
employs questionnaires and focus group discussions to collect information from three districts,
namely Ludewa in Njombe Region, Muleba in Kagera Region, and Handeni in Tanga Region. The
questionnaire covered 591 participants, out of which 309 were in-school youth and 283 were outof-school
youth. Findings point to cultural factors that discourage the use of condoms. Factors
were related to religious and traditional teachings insisting on reproduction; sexual practices such
as katerero that see condoms as diluting sexual pleasures; and preference for children as based on
cultural myths like the banana stem syndrome and enchweke in Muleba Region.
The study likewise revealed other elements facilitating the non-use of condoms, including women’s
weak negotiation power attributed to traditional taboos, e.g. women are not supposed to be active
participants in sexual intercourse. This study recommends additional research in other parts of
the country so that the relationship between cultural factors and youth attitudes on condom use is
better understood, thus prompting the integration of cultural aspects into the intervention strategy
of the government and HIV/AIDS organizations.