AIDS and Development in Africa: A Social Science Perspective

AIDS and Development in Africa: A Social Science Perspective is the first book-length treatment of both the impact of AIDS in Africa and an assessment of intervention strategies in varying cultural situations. Developed from revised selected papers from the nineteenth Southern African Universities Social Science Conference, AIDS and Development in Africa will be of interest to counselors, medical and development practitioners, Africanists, and AIDS researchers. From this book, you will find wide analytical coverage of the issues and country case studies related to the contributory factors and development impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. You will also explore the ability of countries to willingly promote and cope with the pandemic in the context of their different economic circumstances.Specifically in AIDS and Development in Africa, you will read about: socioeconomic context of AIDS social scientific explanations of the AIDS pandemic in Africa HIV/AIDS and the status of women in Botswana and Swaziland sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS law and HIV/AIDS orphans of the AIDS pandemic media and the African context of social construction human resource development and training in relation to HIV/AIDS in ZambiaAIDS and Development in Africa uses a multidisciplinary social science perspective in case studies of such countries as Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, and Zambia to reveal contributory factors and the developmental impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa. This book demonstrates the human consequences of AIDS and the efforts being made by governments, individuals, families, villages, communities, and national government organizations to respond to the pandemic. For example, you will learn about information campaigns and peer education approaches that are successfully increasing transmission awareness and condom use. You will read beyond the usual analysis of demographics and receive much more substantial assessments and analyses of the burden on people, economies, and health care systems of the African countries. AIDS and Development in Africa is indispensable to anyone who is involved with HIV/AIDS prevention/intervention in Africa. This comprehensive book provides you with essential and up-to-date research on the many issues surrounding Africa’s HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Table of Contents:
Contents About the Editor Contributors Preface Chapter 1. The Socioeconomic Context of AIDS in Africa: A Review Introduction Factors Influencing the Impact of the AIDS Pandemic The Socioeconomic Costs of the AIDS Pandemic The Intervention Imperative Conclusion Chapter 2. Social Science Explanations of the AIDS Pandemic in Africa Introduction Social Science and the Reaction to AIDS Social Science and the Explanation of AIDS Patterns in Africa Social Science Explanations and Policy Reactions to AIDS Conclusion Chapter 3. Beyond the Statistics: HIV/AIDS as a Socioeconomic Epidemic in Africa Introduction Limited Education and Lack of Access to HIV/AIDS Information The Impact of Labor Migration Gender Bias and HIV/AIDS Child Sexual Abuse and HIV/AIDS The Fear of Social Isolation HIV/AIDS and Community Responsibility Conclusion and Recommendations Chapter 4. HIV/AIDS and the Status of Women in Botswana Introduction The AIDS Situation in Botswana The Status of Women in the Context of AIDS in Botswana Conclusion Chapter 5. Women’s Health, Sociocultural Practices, and HIV/AIDS in Swaziland Introduction Women, Health, and AIDS Conclusion Chapter 6. Sexual Abuse, HIV/AIDS, and the Legal Rights of Women in Swaziland Introduction The Issues Conclusion Chapter 7. The Law and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Competing Claims and Interests Introduction HIV/AIDS Victims and Communities at Large HIV/AIDS Victims and Particular Segments of the Community Conclusion Chapter 8. Orphans of the AIDS Pandemic: The Sub-Saharan Africa Experience Introduction AIDS Orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa: Some Demographic Dimensions Contextual Considerations of AIDS-Related Orphanhood in Africa African Initiatives Some Lessons from Africa Conclusion Chapter 9. Media and the African Context of the Social Construction of HIV/AIDS Introduction Background Methodology Media Messages: What Are They? An Analysis Conclusion Chapter 10. The Social Context of HIV/AIDS Policy in Africa Introduction Dimensions of HIV/AIDS and Changing Perceptions Societal Orientation on HIV/AIDS The Social, Economic, and Political Context of HIV/AIDS The Prospect of Social Support Dimensions of HIV/AIDS Policy Conclusion Chapter 11. A Note on National Policy and HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe Introduction The Rationale The Process The Issues Conclusion Chapter 12. Societal Responses to HIV/AIDS in Botswana Introduction The Societal Response Bureaucratic Solutions and Their Shortcomings Conclusion Chapter 13. AIDS Awareness and Sexual Behavior Change in South Africa Introduction The AIDS Epidemic in South Africa Strategies for Preventing the Spread of AIDS A Biopsychosocial Approach to AIDS Explaining the Ineffectiveness of AIDS Health Education Programs Conclusion and Recommendations Chapter 14. HIV/AIDS and a Return to Traditional Cultural Practices in Malawi Introduction The Context of Culture in Malawi Society, Traditional Cultural Practices, and the Spread of HIV/AIDs Cultural Practices and HIV/AIDS Malawian Society, HIV/AIDS, and Culture Conclusion Chapter 15. The Question of Relevance in AIDS Education in Malawi Introduction Current Methods in HIV/AIDS Education in Malawi Strategies for Encouraging Behavior Change Conclusion Chapter 16. AIDS and Peer Education in Lesotho Introduction Objectives Methodology and Observations Discussion and Conclusion Chapter 17. Human Resource Development and Training in Relation to HIV/AIDS in the Formal Sector in Zambia Introduction Methodology The Results Policy Issues