Background
AIDS remains one of the world’s most serious health challenges affecting more females than men. The differences in the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among gender groups stem from biology, sexual behaviour and socially constructed
gender differences between women and men in roles and responsibilities, access to
resources and decision-making power. It could also be due to the females’ status in
society which could be justified by lower economic and decision making ability.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the role of gender in the spread
of HIV among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia; with the view of developing gender sensitive HIV and AIDS prevention strategies.
Methods
The study used sequential mixed method with quantitative and qualitative paradigm.
During first phase of the study, health facility based descriptive cross-sectional study
design was used. Data was collected from 422 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Forty participants were recruited by purposive sampling from representatives working in reproductive health or related fields.
Results
About 83.2% of respondents reported that sexual intercourse discussion should be
initiated by male partners. This showed that majority of respondents were dependent on their male partners in decision-making regarding sexual matters in their relationship. Multiple sexual partners were common among the respondents. One third of the respondents reported to have had intercourse with more than one partner during the
past twelve months of the study period. Higher proportion of respondents (61.4%,
n=259) had never used condom during sexual intercourse with their partner/s. As a result these risky sexual practices are a potential threat for spread of HIV and AIDS among women. Thus developed guidelines would alleviate the existing problems
through implementation of strategies of HIV and AIDS prevention to enhance women’s
status at household and different administrative structure level.
Conclusion
Gender disparities in relation to negotiating sexual relations among the study respondents were found to be still relevant. The culture that has placed men at the helm of leadership in sexual matters is strongly upheld and that includes who recommends
use of preventive measures and who regulates when and how to enter into a sexual relationship. Guidelines for gender sensitive prevention strategies if applied appropriately would educate women and men to make decision about what directly affects their health / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/19693 |
| Date | 18 November 2015 |
| Creators | Abraham Alemayehu Gatta |
| Contributors | Ganga-Limando, M., Thupayagale-Tshweneagae, G. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (viii, 115 leaves) |
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