Mehta A, Ganhi K; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. WePpE1351.

A. Mehta, Deepak Charitable Trust, 9-10, Kunj Society, Alkapuri, Baroda, India, Tel.: +91 265 331 439, Fax: +91 265 311 679, E-mail: drketan@satyamonline.com

Issue: There are several social, economic and cultural determinants of high-risk sexual behaviors which may act as indirect factors in vulnerability of women to STI/HIV/AIDS. Description: The findings presented here are a part of a DFID funded project, currently ongoing, awarded to Deepak Charitable Trust, on targeted interventions for HIV prevention. The project site is located 20 kms from Baroda city, a rural area in the backdrop of 200 chemical industries. A majority of inhabitants of these villages hail from Rajput community. A community known for its male dominance, superior power relations and strong adherence to staunch cultural and social customs-women being primary victims. One of the reflections of these staunch customs are the proportion of widows in the community. From 16 villages 856 are widows. Many of these widows have no means of livelihood having their children to support. Socially widow remarriages are a taboo. So to sustain themselves and their children, they indulge in illicit liquor brewing and selling and multipartner sexual relationships. Such a practice leaves them vulnerable to STI and other such infections. DCT has involved widows in their ongoing Saving & Credit Society and skill development activities to provide an alternative mode of income generation. Advocating practice of widow remarriages has also been initiated. As part of the project 180 indepth interviews have been conducted so far. Conclusion: The results of a comparative study of marital status of women with presence of STI symptoms revealed that out of 180 women interviewed, almost one fifth were widows. Out of which, 73% had some sexual health problem. In order to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs, interventions must not only be restricted to condom promotion or STI treatment, but should also address the major social issue of low status of women, widow remarriages and empowerment of women especially widows.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Child
• Condoms
• Culture
• Demography
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic
• Male
• Marital Status
• Marriage
• Research
• Sexual Behavior

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0003742

UI: 102241239

From Meeting Abstracts