| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this study was to investigate how power relationships in marital unions influences women's vulnerability to HIV infection. The main focus of HIV / AIDS programs to date has been the prevention of further transmission of the virus through promotion of mutual faithfulness, condom use and abstinence and more recently, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. This study sought to address this issue by examining available HIV / AIDS prevention measures, specifically focusing on women in heterosexual marital unions. There is little information on prevalence rate among women in marital unions for the one reason that such unions are perceived to act as 'bumper zones' against infection. Persons in these unions are regarded as belonging to a very 'low-risk' group as opposed to homosexuals, drug users, prostitutes and truck drivers who are regarded as 'high-risk' groups. Ironically, there is glaring gender disparities in HIV / AIDS prevalence with more and more women getting infected. Gender
inequality in particular has been blamed for the higher prevalence of AIDS among women than men.
Theoretically, the study adopted the socialist feminism perspective which holds that predominance of men in decision-making is a major cause of gender inequalities in all sectors including sexuality. This theory has been responsible for guiding some of the basic transformation in women's and men's lives and forms the basis for social policies and social action that can bring change. The study was also, guided by Health Belief Model in understanding perceptions surrounding choices of HIV Prevention options.
A sample of 100 women was selected for interviews in Kibera's both formal and informal settlement in Nairobi. The main tool of data collection was the interview schedule.
Secondary data and Focus Group Discussions also supplemented the study. Study variables included personal characteristic like level of education, religious affiliation, income and family size. Other variables were safe sex practices, knowledge and risk perception of HIV/AIDS. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysis and presentation of the findings.
From the analysis, it was established that most women are unable to successfully negotiate for safer sex practices with their partners. Personal characteristics of the respondents were found to significantly influence their use of safer sex practices. Variables like level of education and income were key to women's empowerment, while economic dis-empowerment coupled with cultural pressures made it difficult for women to assert their wish for safer sex. Knowledge and risk perception of HIV/AIDS did not seem to significantly influence women's practice of safer sex.
The main policy implication here is the need for the government and other partners to come up with radical measures in formulating and implementing gender-sensitive legal protection of rights in the context of HIV / AIDS. Reproductive health rights are human rights and should be protected. There is need to focus more on respect, protection and fulfillment of human rights. It is recommended that more women should be involved in policy decision making at National AIDS Programs and also in grassroots organizations. There is a pressing need to further explore and identify strategies, which are under a woman's control. However, the most efficient prevention strategies are those that men have under their control. Thus every effort must continue to be made to change men's behavior by tackling men's attitudes and supporting projects which develop male peer educators for changing attitudes of men toward sex, gender and power. | en_US |
