title: Learning to Live With HIV in the Rural Townships: A Photovoice Study of Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
abstract: There is limited understanding about the health and well-being of men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV infection living in rural African areas. We present the results of an adapted photovoice project with 35 MSM with HIV infection who live in townships in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The project was designed to explore the social factors that influenced HIV care. Twenty-four photo essays were developed by participants in focus group discussions that were audio-recorded and transcribed for analysis. Transcripts and photo essays were coded using a constant comparison approach combining researcher observation notes and reflection on participant-identified themes. Participants identified (a) a shared experience of illness and coming to terms with having HIV infection and (b) family and taverns as necessary support systems. The findings suggested that family- and tavern-based interventions might improve health outcomes for MSM newly diagnosed with HIV infection living in rural and semi-rural African communities.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: Kabelo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maleke
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Struthers
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kegeles
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coates
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D011159:Population Surveillance; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D012934:Social Isolation; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; South Africa; men who have sex with men; photovoice; rural