title: Social construction and cultural meanings of STI/HIV-related terminology among Nguni-speaking inmates and warders in four South African correctional facilities.
abstract: Cultural sensitivity is increasingly recognized as a means to enhance the effectiveness of health promotion programmes all over the world. Sociocultural meanings and terminology of diseases are important in understanding how different groups perceive and interpret illness. This study was conducted as part of the process of developing and adapting a sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV peer led health education intervention for soon-to-be-released inmates who were predominantly Nguni speakers in South Africa. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with prison inmates in each of four facilities. Additionally, one FGD was conducted in each prison with non-health trained (custodial) personnel who were Nguni speakers from the same community (n = 27). The data revealed unique terminology and meanings attached to several biomedically defined STIs. These sociocultural constructions were not limited to inmates as findings from warders' discussions showed a similar pattern. Moreover, we found the existence of a number of traditional 'folk' STIs and culture-specific prevention methods. These conceptualizations influence reported health-care-seeking behaviour, where dual consultation of traditional healers and biomedical remedies is widely practiced. The research has biopsychological as well as cultural implications for the development and adaptation of contextually relevant health promotion interventions.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion Research.evelopment Group, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. sibusiso.sifunda@mrc.ac.za
authors.forename: Sibusiso
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sifunda
authors.forename: Priscilla S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.forename: Torrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Sibusisiwe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhengu
authors.forename: Robert A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ruiter
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Den Borne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000193:education*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054521:Cultural Competency; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011329:Prisoners / Q000193:education*; D011330:Prisons; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D013019:South Africa; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D000078329:Workforce