Abstract
Beyond the statistics of sex-based differences in infection rates, there are profound differences in the underlying causes and consequences of HIV infections in male and female which need to be examined. The study therefore examines; the gender differences in the STI knowledge and gender-related potential risks of HIV heterosexual transmission. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. A multistage random sampling procedure was employed in administration of 1358 questionnaires. For qualitative data, four focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to collect information from stakeholders within the study population, while In-depth interview was employed to collect information from 188 people living with HIV/AIDS through support groups in the State. The data collected were subjected to basic demographic analytical techniques. Combination of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis were employed. Information from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were transcribed and organized under broad headings that depict different aspects of the discussions. Majority of the respondents interviewed did not inform their partners about their infection in the study area. It was also discovered that stigmatization did not allow some women to disclose their status to their sexual partners. Some of the HIV-positive patients interviewed agreed that they did not attend the health facilities to treat the STI’s before they were finally confirmed positive. The study hypothesis revealed that communication between partners about STI’s was associated with an increase in risk reduction behaviour. The paper concluded that there is need for more information and education on communication about STI’s between the sexual partners; to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases within the nation.
Highlights
In the developing countries, there has been a changing pattern of male/female HIV infections.[1,2] Early cases in many countries were concentrated in male homosexuals and intravenous drug users
Beyond the statistics of sex-based differences in infection rates, there are profound differences in the underlying causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS infections in male and female, reflecting differences in biology, sexual behaviour, social attitudes and pressures, economic power and vulnerability[4] In many ways, the inequity that women and girls suffer as a result of HIV/AIDS serves as a barometer of their general status in society and the discrimination they encounter in all fields, including health, education and employment
There is need for more information from urban centres, as the present study proposes, due to the availability of commercial sex workers, greater sexual freedom and varies socio-economic changes that have led to a widening of sexual networks in these areas
Summary
There has been a changing pattern of male/female HIV infections.[1,2] Early cases in many countries were concentrated in male homosexuals and intravenous drug users. Beyond the statistics of sex-based differences in infection rates, there are profound differences in the underlying causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS infections in male and female, reflecting differences in biology, sexual behaviour, social attitudes and pressures, economic power and vulnerability[4] In many ways, the inequity that women and girls suffer as a result of HIV/AIDS serves as a barometer of their general status in society and the discrimination they encounter in all fields, including health, education and employment Due to their position, African women have difficulty in saying no to sex or to unprotected sex since they are socially and economically dependent on male partners.[5] due to the limited livelihood opportunities and various forms of gender discrimination and harassment, women adopt sexual survival strategies; they sell their bodies at the work place, or at school, in order to gain access to resources, security, patronage or protection. This may be aggravated, where women lose their livelihood as they become widows through AIDS.[1]
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