AEGiS-15IAC: Social-Cultural Factors Of HIV Spread In Ulanga District, Tanzania.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Social-Cultural Factors Of HIV Spread In Ulanga District, Tanzania.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10211)

Mrisho M
Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre, Dar es Salaam , Tanzania

Objectives: To assess perceived causes of spread and effects of HIV/AIDS in Ulanga district.

METHODS: A total of 20 FGDs were conducted in all divisions, 4 FGDs for each division. The discussions were arranged according to gender and age, so as to preserve social norms. FGDs with community members were aimed at investigating exposure factors, which are likely to lead to HIV/AIDS infection and perceived effects of the pandemic. Themes discussed included practice of polygamy, multiple partners, condom use, existence of commercial sex workers, voluntary test before marriage, knowledge of HIV, male circumcision and female genital mutilation. Community members were also asked to identify institutions/organisations, both governmental and non-governmental in their local areas and discuss their roles in fighting against the disease in the community.

RESULTS: Various reasons were mentioned in all focus group discussions conducted in each of the surveyed areas. The major reasons, which featured frequently as the major cause of spread of HIV in the district were poverty, social gatherings and celebrations, trial marriages/borrowing and shift from home to shamba.

CONCLUSION: The study gives a reasonable description of the HIV/AIDS situation in Ulanga and highlights some of the important areas for further work in order to effectively control HIV/AIDS in the district.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Prostitution, Demography, Tanzania, Sexual Partners, Infection, HIV Seroprevalence, Circumcision, Behavior, Research, Focus Groups, Male, Female, Ethics, surgery

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D10211