Reference no: EM131662310
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Women and HIV in Swaziland (post by Chrissandra)
The eastern and southern region of Africa has the largest population of HIV in the world. Despite its small population size, Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world and has been greatly affected by the epidemic1. The country of Swaziland has about 200,000 living with HIV, women are at an unreasonable disadvantage accounting for more than half the population of adults living with HIV. Young women between the ages of 15-24 represent the newly infected. Of the 220,000-people living with HIV, 120,000 are women.
1 In the context of the entire population, 31% of all women are living with HIV, compared to 20% of men1. There have been many efforts in Swaziland to improve health to its citizens by creating access to early detection and treatment. According to 2015 estimates, life expectancy in the country is 57 years for men and 61 years for women1.
The issue of stigma and discrimination is problematic in Swaziland, it remains a barrier for individuals to access service for HIV. There are a lot of Myths and misinformation regarding HIV which creates stigma. Due to stigma individuals are shunned by family and friends and are denied services. Individuals being afraid of how they will be viewed are frequently keeping their diagnosis a secret and some are unaware of their status altogether.
The HIV incidence has decreased from 2.5% in 2011 to 1.8% in 2013 and the number of HIV-positive infants born to HIV-positive mothers also decreased from 12% to 3% between 2011 and 20121. Additionally, socioeconomic status in Swaziland is a major contributing factor to this HIV pandemic in women.
Government corruption and race inequality create lack of opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates in women. High unemployment is a factor in this as some young women may have sexual relationships with older men (often called ‘sugar daddies'), from whom they may receive money or gifts1. Studies show that women without formal education have the highest presence of HIV/AIDs.
Poorer and less-educated women may be less knowledgeable about risks and therefore less able to adopt HIV risk-reducing behaviors2. The culture in Swaziland young girls are wed at a young age through arranging marriages, those relationships are mostly polygamous. Also, the culture promotes open relationship where men having more than one partner, widows being passed down in villages.
Others work as sex workers, having the highest prevalence in the world at about 60% are living with HIV. Food insecurities influence the risky sexual behaviors of women in Swaziland, they are forced into being sex workers to provide for their families.
Sex workers are not consistent with contraception use, leaving them exposed to contracting HIV and other STDs. Essential to help lower rates of prevalence Swaziland must create financial opportunities, having access to services, progress monitoring, and education.
Attachment:- HealthResources.rar