The Republic of Kiribati is one of the last countries to face the HIV/AIDS epidemic in
the Pacific. First appearing in the region in 1982, HIV/AIDS was recognized as a
national concern during the late 90s. Partnering with the National AIDS Committee,
research was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods which included focus
groups, surveys, personal interviews and quasi experiments. These methods were used
to explore population and individual perceptions and behaviors related to HIV/AIDS.
Once perceptions and behaviors were understood, HIV/AIDS was placed in a broader
historical and social context. Placing the illness in these contexts, I examined how
history and social environments influenced the spread of the virus. Focusing on youth,
research exposed complex social structures which produced opportunities for varying
levels of stigma, economic development, migration, education and modernity, all
contributing to a systematic promotion and prevention of the spread of HI V/AIDS.
Conclusions showed that gender roles, modernity, educational and economic
opportunity, overpopulation, religious beliefs and limited resources contributed to
greater amounts of high risk behaviors taken by individuals. Conversely, gender roles,
religious beliefs, and modernity also assisted in the prevention of transmission. / Graduation date: 2006
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28992 |
| Date | 02 June 2005 |
| Creators | Roman, Mike T. |
| Contributors | Khanna, Sunil K. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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