Question

Imagine you are a public health educator. How could you use qualitative research approaches to address HIV/AIDS risk where gender roles create risk, but are deeply embedded in cultural and economic patterns?

Answer 1

The main cause of HIV transmission is sexual. Gender role of men and women and their stereotypical behavior play a critical role in the spread of HIV infection. Unemployment, use of drugs increases the risk of HIV infection in males. Poverty, gender-based violence on women increases the risk of HIV infection among females. The socio and economic conditions make them vulnerable to HIV infection. Sometimes law and regulatory forces also against the women which increases the harassment and rape. Compare to men, women twice likely at risk of HIV transmission through sexual contact. Cultural beliefs and practices such as female mutilation, early marriage, the power of women to marry more than one girl, widow inheritance, lack of power of women also lead to an increase in the spread of the virus. The culture also limits the communication between the sexual partners.

As a public health educator, I used to communicate with local community leaders to identify the vulnerable and at-risk populations. I planned an appropriate intervention and implemented in an appropriate way to change the risky behavior of the group. Specific strategies were prepared to address gender-based issues. Specific policies should be made regarding HIV transmission prevention. HIV program should be conducted to make awareness on the people and to protect them.