Selected factors in predisposition to HIV and AIDS: Implications for educational policy and practice

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate a gendered view of the importance of biological age and gender inequality in predisposition to the Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and implications for requisite educational policies and best practice. Cognizant of the increasing age-based and gender inequality as factors in vulnerability women and girls face in Botswana. This paper is based on a critical review of deliberations and expressed opinions of workshop participants of a qualitative methodological workshop in a series of four sensitization workshops conducted in four areas in Botswana, namely the capital city of Gaborone, Lobatse town and two villages of Tsabong and Serowe between November 2007 and February 2008. Using Botswana as a point of contact, and informed by a combined epistemological base of age and gender inequality, and the PEN 3 model as analytical tools, and the author argues that age and gender inequality are some of the global factors that predispose women, and to a lessor extent, men, to the adverse prevalence, incidence and effects of HIV and AIDS. A conclusion drawn from the workshop series is that educators and policy makers need to periodically revisit administration practices and policies and ensure that they promote best practice in the global multi-sectoral responses to HIV and AIDS. Context specific formal and non-formal educational administration, formulation and enforcement of policies that promote best practice are very important in the global management of HIV and AIDS. Key words: Selected factors, predisposition to HIV/AIDS in Botswana.