A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction

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dc.contributor.advisorOrner, Phyllisen_ZA
dc.contributor.advisorCooper, Dien_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHarries, Janeen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-10-20T07:44:14Z
dc.date.available2014-10-20T07:44:14Z
dc.date.issued2005en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractSouth Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. The epidemic features distinctive age and gender distributions, with young women at greatest risk, and overall proportionally more women affected than men. Current HIV prevention strategies are limited as women's risk is frequently derived from their partners' behaviours rather than their own. The development of a microbicide for HIV prevention may offer the possibility of reducing women’s risk of infection in situations where other more effective methods cannot be used. An environment conducive to introducing a microbicide is critical to avoid some of the obstacles that have historically inhibited similar technological innovations. This study, which formed part of a larger qualitative research project, explored local sexual practices as they related to a female-initiated intra-vaginal product and the broader gender and sexual relations that underpin perceptions around possible microbicide use. An understanding of gender related factors is crucial in exploring women's access and ability to use a microbicide. Twenty-two focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews were held with community participants who resided in Langa, Cape Town. Data was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Respondents expressed keen support for microbicides, underscored by desperation related to the AIDS epidemic and recognition of women's greater risk. Discussions amongst both women and men around microbicide use revealed numerous ways in which a new preventive technology could impact on broader gender relations. Issues around condom use, partner communication, meanings attributed to changes in vaginal moisture levels, covert use, potential for partner discord, and gender-based violence were linked by respondents to the varying ways in which the microbicide could impact on their daily lives. While the microbicide has the potential to "empower" women, inequitable gender relations and other social and economic problems will need to be addressed in order to halt the spread of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationHarries, J. (2005). <i>A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8645en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationHarries, Jane. <i>"A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8645en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHarries, J. 2005. A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Harries, Jane AB - South Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. The epidemic features distinctive age and gender distributions, with young women at greatest risk, and overall proportionally more women affected than men. Current HIV prevention strategies are limited as women's risk is frequently derived from their partners' behaviours rather than their own. The development of a microbicide for HIV prevention may offer the possibility of reducing women’s risk of infection in situations where other more effective methods cannot be used. An environment conducive to introducing a microbicide is critical to avoid some of the obstacles that have historically inhibited similar technological innovations. This study, which formed part of a larger qualitative research project, explored local sexual practices as they related to a female-initiated intra-vaginal product and the broader gender and sexual relations that underpin perceptions around possible microbicide use. An understanding of gender related factors is crucial in exploring women's access and ability to use a microbicide. Twenty-two focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews were held with community participants who resided in Langa, Cape Town. Data was analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Respondents expressed keen support for microbicides, underscored by desperation related to the AIDS epidemic and recognition of women's greater risk. Discussions amongst both women and men around microbicide use revealed numerous ways in which a new preventive technology could impact on broader gender relations. Issues around condom use, partner communication, meanings attributed to changes in vaginal moisture levels, covert use, potential for partner discord, and gender-based violence were linked by respondents to the varying ways in which the microbicide could impact on their daily lives. While the microbicide has the potential to "empower" women, inequitable gender relations and other social and economic problems will need to be addressed in order to halt the spread of the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. DA - 2005 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2005 T1 - A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction TI - A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8645 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/8645
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationHarries J. A gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introduction. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2005 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8645en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicineen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherPublic Healthen_ZA
dc.titleA gendered perspective of a community's perception of microbicide introductionen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMMeden_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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