Warnier JP, Deniaud F; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 932 (abstract no. PO-D32-4288).
UER Sciences sociales, Universite Paris V, ORSTOM, Montpellier, France.
According to epidemiological studies, between 1 and 1.5% of the sexually active population of Cameroun is infected by HIV. Different hypothesis have been proposed to explain this surprisingly low rate, by comparison to neighbouring countries: one or several viral strains could exist in the region and could "protect" the populations; some sociocultural characteristics of the free women have been mentioned, especially in the cities of the West Province. However, a second sociological hypothesis can be formulated. Ancient and abundant ethnographic data, still valid according to recent enquiries (Warnier) show that Bamileke sexual habits differ markedly from those of neighbouring populations. It is characterised by the sexual abstinence of male and female bachelors, and by the fidelity of married people. This behaviour, in its turn, can be explained by Bamileke sociopolitical organisation, which is of an aristocratic and quite inegalitarian nature. The notables practice polygyny on a large scale. Female sexuality is confined to marriage. Male bachelors cannot exercise legitimate sex before marriage (average age at first marriage: 31). They gear their energies to work and financial accumulation, on which they rely to have access to marriage and procreation. A single economy of containment and stinginess commands both sexuality and accumulation procedures. In an urban setting, only repeated failures are likely to alter this state of affairs and to push the individual towards sexual and financial expenditures. The stability of strong and authoritarian hierarchies both in town and in the countryside down to this day explains the continuity through of such behaviour.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Epidemiologic Studies
- Ethnic Groups
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Male
- Marriage
- Population
- Sexual Abstinence
- Sexual Behavior
- Single Person
Other ID:
UI: 102207585
From Meeting Abstracts