Understanding a mother's attempt to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission in the Caprivi Region, Namibia
Open Access
- Author:
- Layton, Sarah Elaine
- Area of Honors:
- Geography
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Petra Tschakert, Thesis Supervisor
Roger Michael Downs, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- HIV/AIDS
Namibia
maternal health
decision-making
identity construction
healthcare - Abstract:
- THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHREYER HONORS COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY UNDERSTANDING A MOTHER’S ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HIV/AIDS TRANSMISSION IN THE CAPRIVI REGION, NAMIBIA SARAH LAYTON Spring 2012 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in Geography with honors in Geography Reviewed and approved* by the following: Dr. Petra Tschakert Professor of Geography Thesis Supervisor Dr. Roger Downs Professor of Geography Honors Adviser *Signatures are on file in the Schreyer Honors College ABSTRACT Katima Mulilo, Namibia is largely defined by a 39.4% HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among pregnant mothers. While health workers attempt to increase access to and awareness of antenatal services, women experience societal, cultural and infrastructural factors which limit their agency. Within this male-dominated society, the ability to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child becomes a highly complex process. In order to open inclusive spaces of equality and discourse, research conducted during the summer of 2011 aimed to understand these factors and the associated identity construction underlying this process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with health workers and local NGOs to understand the perspective and efforts of key stakeholders. In addition, local women participated in focus groups using mental models and follow-up interviews to capture local understandings of HIV/AIDS transmission. To reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS, actions vary since a woman’s degree of agency is greatly dependent on her relationship status. Societal and cultural factors, such as stigma and a fatalistic view of the virus, hold greater weight than levels of ignorance as efforts in recent years have markedly improved general knowledge and awareness. The hospital and clinics remain an important component of risk reduction in the realm of decision-making, although levels of credibility vary. Furthermore, women’s perceived solutions for reducing risk highlight the changing nature of family dynamics while also emphasizing the need for increased male involvement and economic opportunities for women. Overall, this paper argues that a woman’s decision-making is centered on a central goal of obtaining security, both economically and in regards to well-being. Within this decision-making realm, healthcare providers act as a stationary but effective provider of health services.