Terms around heterosexual anal intercourse: Resources for behaviour change communication in Tanzania

Abstract

HIV behavioural change interventions in Tanzania are targeting ‘recently recognized’ populations engaging in high-risk sex behaviours and practices including individuals practising heterosexual anal intercourse (HAI). The objective of this article is to describe terms used in references to HAI, which is important in HIV behaviour change communication in Tanzania. We employed a qualitative approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among female sex workers in Dar es Salaam and the general population in Tanga, Mwanza and Morogoro. We analyzed data creating categories of terms around HAI based on the content. Three main categories of terms around HAI emerged: First, terms referring to the anus, mainly the metaphorical expressions reflecting the value, shape, location, function, size and feeling of the anus; second, terms referring to HAI, HAI behaviours and practices such as sodomization, immorality, entry position, pleasure and value of HAI and third, terms referring to individuals practising HAI. Behaviour change communication programmers in the HIV context are recommended to use terms documented in designing interventions that aim at making HAI safe for the reduction of HIV transmission in the country.
Keywords: heterosexual anal intercourse, heterosexuality, behaviour change communication, HIV/AIDS, Tanzania