Exploring the Impact of Trust on Safe Sex for Women in Long-term Stable Relationships in a Rural Eastern Cape Setting

People in stable relationships are at a greater risk of HIV I AIDS infection, because they tend to use condoms lessfrequently as they become more committed to one another. This study seeks to understand how trust affects safe sex for women in long-term stable relationships living in a rural area in Soutlz Africa. A qualitative research design was adopted. Data was obtained from a sample of nine male and twelve female participants aged between 18 and 60 years as well as eight focus group discussions. All participants were self-identified as being in long-term stable relationships. Thematic content a1zalysis was conducted on all the data, using a sex script theoretical framework. It was found that trust was underpinned by a number of factors such as duration of the relationship, commitment, and the difficulty of negotiating condom use. How people spoke about trust allowed for the creation of a number of sexual scripts or norms that they used to justifij not using condoms in their relationships. These scripts included the sex shows love and commitment script, a trusted partner is a safe partner script; and the marriage script. These legitimise people's sexual actions and help them to rationalise what might be considered as irrational, risky, sexual behaviours.