Two years after PSI Dominican Republic partnered with CARISMA, an adapted version of PEER was used among a small section of the target population in two bateyes (men aged 16-25) to see if there were changes in their narratives and perceptions around key behaviours: condom use and multiple sexual partners. The study also helped PSI interpret recent survey results, and provided useful feedback on reactions to behaviour change communications. Key findings include:
- There is a sense of increasing acceptance and availability of condoms. Men talked about various NGOs working in bateyes handing out free condoms regularly. The peer researchers said that things are changing with regard to condoms, that there are more condoms around and they are easier to find. They stressed that condoms are very important for preventing pregnancy, and easier to access than the pill. Parents are also said to be more accepting of condoms: some were said to give their children condoms.
- Condoms are less stigmatised. The association between condoms and ill-health appears to be breaking down. Condom use among non-trusted partners is increasingly normalised and said to be more common.
- However, significant barriers to consistent condom use remain, including negative peer pressure, fears over efficacy of condoms (e.g. strength, irritation) and lack of self-efficacy to use consistently.
- There was no evidence for change in norms around multiple sexual partners.
- A new issue to emerge was the use of performance enhancing ointments. The popularity of such substances may have implications for the efficacy of condoms, or even provide opportunities for future condom marketing (e.g. messages that ally themselves to the positive attributes ascribed to these ointments).
