|
Abstract:
|
As in other countries of sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS has become a serious threat to the health and well-being of the population of Malawi. In 2000 it was estimated that 15.9% of adults aged 15-49 were infected with HIV, which translates into about 760,000 adults who carry the virus. In addition, around 40,000 children under the age of 15 are also estimated to be HIV positive. The terrible consequences of such a high prevalence of AIDS is evidenced by child and adult mortality (70,000 deaths to AIDS in 1999 alone), and by the number of children orphaned by the disease (1.2 million children having lost one or both parents by 2000) . Added to the personal and social tragedies that such indicators represent, the diminished contribution of economically active adults is having a serious impact on the country's economic productivity, which largely consists of labor-intensive industry such as farming and fishing.
AIDS in Malawi, as in sub-Saharan Africa in general, is spread mainly through heterosexual sex. Antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of AIDS is severely limited, and thus interventions have historically focused on information and education campaigns to promote preventative behavioral measures, such as the use of condoms, limited sexual partners, faithfulness to one partner, abstinence, and delayed sexual debut.
This paper presents an analysis of data collected on individual sociodemographic and economic background characteristics, along with specific information on the knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices of men and women concerning STIs, including HIV/AIDS.
In the paper's final discussion the authors note that:
- One of the principal findings from this investigation is that detailed knowledge of HIV/AIDS, as measured by three indicators, is fairly high among the sampled population of men and women.
- It cannot be certain that respondents interpreted the question regarding risk perception in the way it was intended.
- The reliability of self-reports regarding sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior can be questioned as a result of inaccuracy, incomplete information (such as not knowing the number of sexual partners a spouse really has), or deliberate misreporting. |