Many cultures have harmful traditions and attitudes that encourage the spread of HIV infection. For example, young men often feel they need to prove they are ‘real men’ by having sexual relations with many different young women. Men who use condoms may be seen as weak and be laughed at. Men or women may be concerned that they have a sexually transmitted disease but ignore it out of shame. After a while the symptoms may go away. However, they still have the disease and can pass it on. All of these practices greatly increase the risk of HIV infection.
Women are sometimes seen as belonging to men. They may have little or no choice about when to have sexual relations or whether to use a condom. If their husband dies, they may be given to the brother. Widows or orphans may find that the man’s relatives claim their belongings and sometimes their home and land. Women, particularly during times of war, may be at risk of rape when collecting water or food.
Initiation ceremonies, circumcision, tattooing or facial scarring can all pass on HIV unless new needles or blades are used for each person. Otherwise they should be properly sterilised before use on each person, either by soaking in bleach for 30 minutes or boiling for 20 minutes.
Discussion
- Some men believe that having sex with a virgin will cure HIV infection. Some men believe that having sex with 100 women will cure them of HIV infection. Do we have any misleading beliefs like this in our area?
- What other traditions or attitudes in our culture might increase the spread of HIV?
- What kind of risks are young people in our area exposed to when they take part in circumcision ceremonies or receive tattoos or facial decorations? How can these risks be reduced?
- If a circumcised woman is infected with HIV, there will be considerable risk for her husband during sex and for the baby and birth assistant during childbirth because of the bleeding that the circumcision will cause. How could this practice be changed or stopped?
- How can we help to challenge unhelpful or harmful traditions and attitudes?
- What could persuade men, women and children, whose behaviour puts them at high risk of HIV infection, to change their ways?
- How can men show more respect to women and their wishes?
- How can women influence their husbands to treat them more lovingly and respect their wishes?
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