title: Cultural implications of death and loss from AIDS among women in South Africa.
abstract: Over 1.8 million people have died of AIDS in South Africa, and it continues to be a death sentence for many women. The purpose of this study was to examine the broader context of death and loss from HIV/AIDS and to identify the cultural factors that influenced existing beliefs and attitudes. The participants included 110 women recruited from 3 communities in South Africa. Focus group methodology was used to explore their perceptions surrounding death and loss from HIV/AIDS. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, our findings revealed that there were positive perceptions related to how women cope and respond to death and loss from HIV/AIDS. Findings also revealed existential responses and negative perceptions that strongly influence how women make sense of increasing death and loss from HIV/AIDS. In the advent of rising death and loss from HIV/AIDS, particularly among women, interventions aimed at reducing negative perceptions while increasing positive and existential perceptions are needed. These interventions should be tailored to reflect the cultural factors associated with HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA. jia111@psu.edu
authors.forename: Juliet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iwelunmor
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Collins O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Airhihenbuwa
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003906:Developing Countries; D005086:Existentialism; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005783:Gender Identity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012803:Sick Role; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa