Exploring the Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Gender Roles and HIV/AIDS Among Tonga Carers of Disabled Children of Binga in Zimbabwe

Many people are reluctant to access voluntary counselling and testing services for fear of stigma and the implications of death often associated with a positive HIV diagnosis. This study however noted how Tonga females residing in Binga, one of Zimbabwe’s poorest and most food insecure districts, we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexuality & culture 2019-12, Vol.23 (4), p.1131-1146
Main Authors: Muderedzi, Jennifer, Eide, Arne H., Braathen, Stine H., Stray-Pedersen, Babill
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Caregivers
Children
Children with disabilities
Content analysis
Counseling
Food
Food security
Gender
Gender inequality
Gender relations
Gender roles
Health care policy
Health services
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Low income groups
NGOs
Nongovernmental organizations
Original Paper
People with disabilities
Personality and Social Psychology
Psychology
Regional and Cultural Studies
Sex roles
Social Sciences
Vulnerability
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Summary:Many people are reluctant to access voluntary counselling and testing services for fear of stigma and the implications of death often associated with a positive HIV diagnosis. This study however noted how Tonga females residing in Binga, one of Zimbabwe’s poorest and most food insecure districts, were eager for an HIV positive result in order to secure food handouts from Non-Governmental Organisations. Using a conceptual framework developed by Weiser and colleagues for understanding the bidirectional links between food insecurity and HIV/AIDS linkages, this paper explored the relationship between food insecurity, gender roles and HIV/AIDS. Qualitative in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions were conducted with 53 caregivers and four healthcare personnel. Data were analysed using content analysis. The findings show the interrelationship between food insecurity, gender roles and HIV/AIDS entwined in a vicious cycle that heightens vulnerability to and worsens the severity of each condition. The findings from this study can help in informing policy interventions geared towards HIV/AIDS, gender inequality and food insecurity.
ISSN:1095-5143
1936-4822
DOI:10.1007/s12119-019-09610-w