AEGiS-14IAC: Perceptions of AIDS among young people in rural Mwanza, Tanzania.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Perceptions of AIDS among young people in rural Mwanza, Tanzania.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrE1405)

Mshana G, Wamoyi J, Plummer M, Wight D, Ross D, Salamba Z
NIMR/AMREF/LSHTM, Mwanza, Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Young people's perceptions of HIV and AIDS in rural Africa have rarely been explored.

METHODS: 20 HIV positive, 3 pregnant and 49 randomly selected primary school pupils participated in in-depth interviews. A series of 3-4 focus group discussions were held with a male and a female group of young people in each of 3 villages. Participant observation was carried out in 7 villages (total 110 person-weeks).

RESULTS: Symptoms that people associated with AIDS were dramatic weight loss, change of hair texture to become soft like cat fur, severe vomiting, diarrhoea, a skin rash and red lips. People with AIDS are believed to have a large appetite and like eating expensive, fatty foods. The distinction between asymptomatic HIV infection and AIDS is not clear. Most respondents express doubt that people suspected to have died from AIDS actually had had AIDS, because their spouses and children continue to be healthy for several years. Most young people report that there are two types of AIDS. One is caused by HIV, is transmitted through sexual contact, and has no cure. Another is caused by witchcraft and can be cured by traditional healers. Most rural young people also believe AIDS only affects adults and/or people from towns. However, both male and female newcomers to villages are preferred and sought-after sex partners. Local people with a reputation for promiscuity, such as young unmarried mothers (wasimbe) and their partners, are not regarded as being in danger of getting AIDS. Finally, condom use is reportedly very low in all villages. This relates to widespread beliefs that unused condoms are deliberately contaminated with HIV, that the use of condoms reduces sexual pleasure, and/or their use indicates mistrust of a partner.

CONCLUSIONS: AIDS prevention and care interventions need to address local misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. In addition, preference for newcomers as sex partners indicates a need to improve young people's risk assessment skills.

Keywords: AEGIS, Tanzania, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV, Condoms, Sexual Partners, Perception, Safe Sex, HIV Seroprevalence, Culture, Focus Groups, Africa, Adult, Cats, Animal, Child, Female, Male, Pregnancy

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ThOrE1405