Title:
HIV transmission within marriage : findings from Tanzania
Authors:
Diggos, H.A.
Year:
2007
PAGE:
vii, 39
Language:
eng
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Keywords:
health
,
HIV and AIDS
,
disease prevention and control
,
reproductive health
Abstract:
This thesis focuses on the influence of marriage on HIV transmission and factors associated with HIV transmission among married people in Tanzania, and to suggest possible and feasible solutions. The study questions are: 1) What are the reasons for HIV transmission among married people in Tanzania, 2) How Marriage influences the spread of HIV?, 3) What are the perceptions of society towards marriages in the context of HIV acquisition?, 4) What measures (solutions) should be taken to make marriages safer? The literature review was done through reviewing of English published studies done on HIV/AIDS among married couples in Tanzania and neighboring countries, this was complemented by systematic reviewing of scientific publications on the subject. Author’s experience and opinions were used wherever necessary. The findings show that, extra-marital sexual relationship, non-condom use, sex violence, early marriage and high rate of sexually transmitted infections among married people in Tanzania found to be major reasons for the spreading of HIV within marriage. Marriage, despite of emphasizing on fidelity as a religious institution prohibits use of condoms, expose young women to early marriage, and trans generation sexual relationships; subject married women to widow inheritance and widow cleansing; provide safe haven for sex violence and gender in equality. CONCLUSION: Marriage is in fact a risk factor of acquiring HIV in Tanzania, especially among women. Albeit there are opportunity of making marriage and life within marriage protective against HIV as expected, since HIV risk perception is high among couples and in general community. RECOMMENDATIONS: Marriage is potentially risky in Tanzania, the government and policy makers in collaboration with other stakeholders including religious leaders need to harmonize their efforts targeting this emerging high-risk group, and to stop doing business as usual.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Tanzania, United Republic of
Region:
East Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2007 Diggos
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
183335.pdf