Preprint / Version 1

‘Semen Contains Vitality and Heredity, Not Germs’: Seminal Discourse in the AIDS Era

Authors

  • Sharful Khan Social and Behavioural Sciences Unit, Public Health Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
  • Nancy Hudson-Rodd School of International, Cultural and Community Studies, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia
  • Sherry Saggers School of International, Cultural and Community Studies, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia
  • Mahbubul Bhuiyan Social and Behavioural Sciences Unit, Public Health Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
  • Abbas Bhuiya Social and Behavioural Sciences Unit, Public Health Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
  • Syed Karim Department of Dermatology, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Oratai Rauyajin Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

Key words: Semen loss, Sexuality, Sexual health, Sexually transmitted infections, Human immunodeficiency virus, AIDS, Bangladesh

Abstract

Perspectives of public health generally ignore culture-bound sexual health concerns, such as semen loss, and primarily attempt to eradicate sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Like in many other countries, sexual health concerns of men in Bangladesh have also received less attention compared to STIs in the era of AIDS. This paper describes the meanings of non-STI sexual health concerns, particularly semen loss, in the masculinity framework. In a qualitative study on male sexuality, 50 men, aged 18–55 years, from diverse sociodemographic backgrounds and 10 healthcare practitioners were interviewed. Men considered semen the most powerful and vital body fluid representing their sexual performance and reproductive ability. Rather than recognizing the vulnerability to transmission of STIs, concerns about semen were grounded in the desire of men to preserve and nourish seminal vitality. Traditional practitioners supported semen loss as a major sexual health concern where male heritage configures male sexuality in a patriarchal society. Currently, operating HIV interventions in the framework of disease and death may not ensure participation of men in reproductive and sexual health programmes and is, therefore, less likely to improve the quality of sexual life of men and women. Key words: Semen loss, Sexuality, Sexual health, Sexually transmitted infections, Human immunodeficiency virus, AIDS, Bangladesh

Downloads