What Does a Decolonizing/Decentralizing Methodology in Examining Sexual Lives Entail?

• Published in: African journal of reproductive health 2012-06, Vol.16 (2), p.55-70
• Main Authors: Dlamini, S. Nombuso, Maticka-Tyndale, Eleanor, Omorodion, Francisca, Anucha, Uzo, Lowik, A.J, HP4RY Team
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; AIDS; Anthropology, Cultural; Communities; Community life; Community schools; Culture; Data collection; Decolonization; Ethnography; Focus groups; Health Care Surveys; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Research - organization & administration; HIV; HIV (Viruses); HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Medical research; Mixed-Methodology, Decolonization, Nigeria, Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS; Nigeria; Qualitative Research; Reproductive health; Research methods; Sexual behavior; Student surveys; Studies; Teachers; Teenagers; Youth
• ISSN: 1118-4841

This paper is based on an international study, HIV Prevention for Rural Youth (HP4RY) 2008-2012, designed to examine the state of, and teach about, sexual health and HIV/AIDS in Edo State, Nigeria. The paper focuses on the mixed methods used in this study, paying attention to the meaning of collaboration and participation in research in a cross-continental setting. Additionally, the paper considers the complexities of engaging in decolonizing and respectful methodological approaches in these settings. Drawing on specifics from the mixed methods and details from the relevant literature, this paper demonstrates the continued need for cross-continental decolonization and decentralized engagements, specifically when dealing with sensitive topics like sexuality and HIV/AIDS (Afr J Reprod Health 2012 (Special Edition); 16[2]: 55-70). Cet article est basé sur une étude internationale, Prévention du VIH au bénéfice de la jeunesse rurale 2008-2012, conçue pour examiner la nature de l'enseignement à propos de la santé sexuelle et le VIH/SIDA dans l'état d'Edo, Nigéria. L'article met l'accent sur les méthodes mixtes dont on se sert dans cette étude, toute en prêtant attention au sens de la collaboration et la participation à la recherche dans un cadre transcontinental. De plus, l'article étudie les complexités provenant des approches méthodologiques décolonisant et respectueuses dans ces cadres. Se fondant sur des cas précis à partir des méthodes mixtes et des détails des documents pertinents, cet article illustre le besoin continu d'une décolonisation transcontinental et des engagements décentralisés, plus particulièrement quand on traite des sujets sensibles telle la sexualité et le VIH/SIDA (Afr J Reprod Health 2012 (Special Edition); 16[2]: 55- 70).