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Perceptions of the value and the use of external drying agents in sexual practice

Project Focus
Gender, sexuality and vaginal practices

Project Location
Multi-country study, KZN South Africa, Mozambique, Indonesia and Thailand

Duration of Project
2004 - 2006

Project Partners
WHO/HIVAN

Project Donors
Ford Foundation

Contact Details
Dr Jenni Smit

Project Aim/ Objectives
1. To document commonly practiced ‘dry sex practices’ in selected sites in KwaZulu-Natal, and
2. To explore the social, cultural and historical meanings attributed to these practices – both by those who engage in them, and also by those who resist or reject them.

Project Activities
This study is being undertaken in partnership by HIVAN and forms part of a larger multi-country study involving comparative research in Southern Africa and South East Asia.

Documentary information has been compiled on vaginal practices

Fieldwork - key informant interviews, focus group discussions and indepth interviews completed in October 2005

Transcription and data analysis undertaken

Manuscripts for scientific journals are in preparation



Anticipated/Actual Results

  • A report for phase one has been completed and will be printed for distribution
  • J. Smit attended an International Researchers' Meeting of the WHO multi-country study on gender, sexuality and vaginal practices, 29 May to 2 June 2006, Geneva, to plan the prevalence phase of the study.
  • E Preston-Whyte, J Smit, B Kunene and F Scorgie attended the International meeting of the research group in Chonburi, Thailand from 22 - 28 January, 2006.
  • All GSVP Members from the African region as well as the WHO Co-ordinator, ASIA regional co-ordinator, PIs from Thailand and Indonesia, attended a co-ordination meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa from October 17 - 18, 2005.
  • Africa Regional Data Analysis meeting for the Multi-Country Study on Gender, Sexuality and Vaginal Practices was held in Durban, South Africa from 5 - 7 December, 2005.
  • First Africa Regional Planning and Co-ordination Workshop for the Multi-Country Study on Gender, Sexuality and Vaginal Practices was held in Durban, South Africa from March 16 - 18, 2005. 

Additional Outputs
Papers/ Posters Presented:
  1. (Forthcoming) Scorgie F, Kunene B, Smit J, Manzini N, Preston-Whyte E, and Beksinska M: Pleasure of Pain? Women's perceptions of harm and sexual risk: a qualititve study of vaginal practices in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 18th World Congress of WAS (World Association of Sexual Health), Sydney, 17 April, 2007
  2. Kunene B, Scorgie F, Smit J, Manzini N, Beksinska M, Prestin-Whyte E. Vaginal Practices in South Africa: Implications for Prevention Programmes.  Poster presented iat The XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada, 13 - 18 August, 2006
  3. Scorgie F, Kunene B, Manzini N, Smit J, Preston-Whyte E, and Beksinska M. 'Gender, Sexuality and Vaginal Practices in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.'  Report prepared for the World Health Organisation (Department of Reproductive Health and Research), August 2006.
  4. Scorgie F, Kunene B, Manzini N, Smit J, Preston-Whyte E, and Beksinska M. Matters and motives for vaginal practices in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.'  Paper presented at the Reproductive Health Priorities Conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa, 18 - 21 October, 2005.
  5. Scorgie F, Kunene B, Manzini N, Smit J, Preston-Whyte E, and Beksinska M. Matters and motives for vaginal practices in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.'  Paper presented at the Sexology Conference in Canada, 10 - 15 July, 2005.  
  6. Scorgie F, Revisiting 'dry sex': sexual pleasure and sexual health in a mission village, southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Paper presented at the 5th International IASSCS Conference: "Sexual Rights and Moral Panics" in San Francisco, 21 - 24 June, 2005. 
Future Plans
  • Book and journal articles in preparation
  • Prevalence study to commence based on qualitative findings.



Projects in the Barrier Methods & Contraception Cluster:



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