Inter Press Service - October 2, 2000
Judith Achieng'

The experts, mostly from developing countries, will be seeking alternatives to cultural practices like polygamy, that are fuelling the spread of the virus that causes AIDS, particularly in Africa, which has about 70 percent of the world's infected persons.

The Nairobi conference is a follow up to the pilot part of the cultural approach UNESCO initiative, which is aimed at developing a multi-dimensional approach to the complex socio-economic, social and cultural phenomenon of HIV/AIDS.

"Taking a cultural approach in this respect means that culture is considered as the core of any economic and social transformation," UNESCO regional head, Paul Vitta, told the meeting here.

The cultural approach to HIV/AIDS, according to UNESCO, began in the 1990's where the organisation began to explore the interactions between culture and development, after which it embarked on a cultural approach to development.

This relationship is most evident in the family pattern crisis, in which separation of spouses and abandonment of children happens, as a result of extreme poverty, while the culture of silence continues to frustrate efforts to slow down the spread of HIV virus.

In India, sex remains a taboo subject. "The Indian society was historically open about sex. But something happened somewhere to change the culture of the people. The mention of sex education in schools gives everyone jitters," complains Shankar Chowdhury, a consultant with UNESCO New Delhi office.

"The fear most people have is that children will be taught to practice sex, rather than sexual responsibility and hygiene," says Chowdhury.

The situation is not much different in Sub Saharan African countries, which share a lot of culture, including polygamy and other culturally based gender biases.

In West Africa, a belief that women should not be intimate with their husbands while still breastfeeding and postpartum (period after the birth of a child) abstention, forcing husbands to seek alternatives elsewhere, is one of the major cultural practices blamed for the spread of the disease.

"People have done a lot of research on women and blame them for the scourge. But what about the men?" wonders Taiwo Lawoyin, a professor at the college of medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

"Men are largely involved in the spread of HIV and if you have to carry them along if are going to have any success."

This year, the theme of the AIDS day is "men and AIDS".

"My question to my male colleagues, particularly the migrant ones who have concubines in several cities and towns, whether it is not time to get married to these concubines?" Kenya's minister of state in the office of the president, Marsden Madoka, told the meeting.

With at least 500 AIDS related deaths daily, Kenya is one of the countries in Sub Saharan African region which are reeling from the effect of the scourge, mostly blamed on deeply rooted beliefs and traditional practices that influence sexual behaviour.

Persisting gender inequality and discrimination, the conference heard, has not only lead to domestic and sexual violence, but also to forced prostitution. In Ethiopia, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is one of the main challenges faced by HIV prevention efforts.

"We have a society of mosaic culture, different ethnic groups, but women bear the brunt of forced early marriages, wife inheritance, polygamy and marriage by abductions," laments Mitike George, president of the Addis Ababa based Society for Women against AIDS.

The conference, heard that the notion of risk group has become almost irrelevant in the current situation in sub Saharan Africa, where up to a third of populations are affected by the scourge, unlike in the 1980s, when high infection rates were only associated with specific groups, like sex workers, gay people and migrant workers.

The post cold war period has seen the highest migration patterns in Africa, with increasing violent conflicts, breaking people's "cultural identity links" with their original groups, resulting is situations of economic, social, intellectual and cultural distress.

There are, however, positive elements of some cultures, experts say, that can be successfully tapped to help in the efforts to combat the scourge. One such practice is male circumcision, which studies have indicated, can greatly diminish the risk of infection.

The conference is also examining the strong African and Asian family ties, which, although burdensome, have to a large extent positively contributed to the care of infected and affected individuals in society.

"In other words, the relationship between the culture and HIV/AIDS can be harmful or desirable," says Madoka.

"Efforts must therefore be made to identify and document traditional norms, beliefs and practices that influence the transmission of HIV or its containment."

001002
IP001001

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .