Donkey work: women, religion, and HIV/AIDS in Malawi.
Addressed in this article are the familial, cultural and religious influences on Malawi women that contribute to HIV/AIDS. Thirty-nine adult Malawi women representing voluntary assistance groups, religious groups, and university women participated in 3 focus groups in Malawi. Interview data were taped, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis. Findings revealed that multiple burdens in the lives of Malawi women resulting from poverty and responsibility for family members are made more onerous by religious institutions, sexual practices, and cultural beliefs. In conclusion, women's "donkey work" may result in at-risk sexual behavior as a means of survival, thus increasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS. Alleviating the burdens involves efforts from religious groups and restructuring of belief systems.
Rankin
Sally H
SH
University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.
Lindgren
Teri
T
Rankin
William W
WW
Ng'Oma
Joyce
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*