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Condoms and cosmology: The 'fractal' person and sexual risk in Rwanda

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  • Taylor, Christopher C.

Abstract

While condoms are readily available in the urban centers of Rwanda, where the AIDS epidemic has raged most intensely, researchers report that women are reluctant to have their partners use them. When asked to explain their reluctance, these women express the fear (along with other misgivings) that the condom might remain lodged in the vagina after intercourse. This behavior flies in the face of the biomedical assessment of risk. Rwandans, however, perceive risk in a manner which is consistent with their views concerning the social construction of the moral person. Of prime importance in this process is the body's perceived aptitude to engage in meaningful exchange and fertile sexuality. Moreover, these notions take root within a coherent cosmological matrix which emphasizes the socially ordered flow of fertility fluids. Only when these issues are considered in light of the concept of the 'fractal person' does the meaning of risk--as it relates to sexual behavior and AIDS in Rwanda--become clear.

Suggested Citation

  • Taylor, Christopher C., 1990. "Condoms and cosmology: The 'fractal' person and sexual risk in Rwanda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1023-1028, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:31:y:1990:i:9:p:1023-1028
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Hilber, Adriane & Hull, Terence H. & Preston-Whyte, Eleanor & Bagnol, Brigitte & Smit, Jenni & Wacharasin, Chintana & Widyantoro, Ninuk, 2010. "A cross cultural study of vaginal practices and sexuality: Implications for sexual health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(3), pages 392-400, February.

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    Keywords

    AIDS condoms risk cosmology;

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