Women and Aids : a study of issues in the prevention of HIV infection

Bibliography: p. 209-244.There is worldwide recognition of the magnitude of the AIDS problem generally and the particular concerns regarding prevention and care which this raises for women. Social constructionist and feminist analyses have done much to extend understanding of the issues beyond the biomedical realm to include social accounts of the constitution of AIDS knowledge, meanings and responses. However, these frameworks have not easily translated into realistic responses to the seeming paradox of women being seen as responsible for HIV prevention, while they lack the power in gender relations to implement safe sex behaviour. Therefore, this thesis aimed to explore in depth the experience and meaning of AIDS for South African women, to map their accounts in relation to existing depictions of the problem, and to identify constraints and opportunities for action which these raised. A further intention was to generate realistic and appropriate prevention options both through and arising from the research process. Preliminary work involved two pilot studies. Firstly in-depth interviews were conducted with HIV-infected women. Then an overview of the status of AIDS prevention and care facilities for women in South Africa was completed by means of interviews with key informants in medical, research and organisational settings. These studies highlighted the complexity of issues involved and confirmed the need for an approach which linked understanding to intervention. The main study aimed to explore the range and interplay of discursive themes which South African women drew on regarding AIDS, and the implications of their positioning in relation to these representations for AIDS interventions