Alcohol consumption, brothel attendance, and condom use: normative expectations among Thai military conscripts. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Alcohol consumption, brothel attendance, and condom use: normative expectations among Thai military conscripts.

Med Anthropol Q. 1996 Sep;10(3):402-23. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/97026848
MacQueen KM; Nopkesorn T; Sweat MD; Sawaengdee Y; Mastro TD; Weniger BG; Somdej Pranaresuan Maharaj Hospital, Phitsanuloke, Thailand.

Abstract: This article investigates the relationship between alcohol consumption and inconsistent condom use with brothel-based commercial sex workers among Thai military conscripts in Northern Thailand. Data from 10 focus groups indicate that alcohol consumption (1) is consciously used by men to reduce inhibitions that constrain their interpersonal interaction with women and with each other; (2) reduces inhibitions of individuals to sexual risk taking; (3) provides a socially acceptable excuse for nonuse of condoms; (4) is associated by conscripts with brothel attendance; and (5) is seen to enhance male sexual pleasure, in contrast to condoms, which are said to reduce pleasure. Understanding the culturally defined expectations that surround alcohol consumption and sexual behavior is critical for developing realistic interventions to reduce HIV transmission.
Keywords: *Alcohol Drinking/PSYCHOLOGY *Condoms *Ethnic Groups/PSYCHOLOGY *HIV Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice *Military Personnel/PSYCHOLOGY *Prostitution/PSYCHOLOGYKWDalcoholdrinking/psychologyKWDcondomsKWDethnicgroups/psychologyKWDhivinfections/prevention&controlKWDknowledge,attitudes,practiceKWDmilitarypersonnel/psychologyKWDprostitution/psychology
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Copyright © 1997 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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