Women in Chinsapo, Malawi

Vulnerability and risk to HIV/Aids

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2177486
AutoresJayati Ghosh (0000-0002-8437-2527, Dominican University of California), Ezekiel Kalipeni (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
Ano2005
Volume2
Fascículo3
Páginas320-332
Data de publicação2005-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSAHARA-J Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1729-0376 • E-ISSN: 1813-4424
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17290376.2005.9724857
PMID17600974
OpenAlexW2123789593
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas19

Malawi, a very poor country located in southern Africa, is no exception to the growing trend and severity in HIV prevalence. By the end of 2003 there were 900 000 adults and children in Malawi living with HIV/AIDS. Adult prevalence was estimated to be 15%, which is higher than the 7.1% average rate for sub-Saharan Africa. In order to understand the spread of HIV/AIDS it is imperative to address the economic, social, cultural, and political issues that impact on women's contraction and spread of the virus. We do so in this paper by critically examining the gendered context of HIV/AIDS with reference to Malawi. The theoretical framework for this research focuses on poverty, gender relations, regional migration patterns, and global economic changes which place women in highly vulnerable situations. The study was conducted in a low-income area in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. In 2003 and 2004, 60 randomly selected women who lived in a low socioeconomic residential area completed a structured interview on issues concerning individual economic situations, marriage history, fertility, family planning and social networks, gender, sexual partnerships, and HIV/AIDS. Focus group interviews were also conducted with an additional 20 women. The results of our study indicate that the rising epidemic among women in Malawi is firstly driven by poverty which limits their options. Secondly, gender inequality and asymmetrical sexual relations are basic to spreading HIV/AIDS among women. Thirdly, in spite of their awareness through media and health care professionals, women are unable to protect themselves, which further increases their vulnerability

Economic growth · Economics · Focus group · Geography · Political science · Population · Poverty · Reproductive health · Socioeconomic status · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions