Abstract
HIV/AIDS has been a growing problem since the 1980s. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between social networks of women and their HIV/AIDS status in Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. In-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from 24 women, 14 of whom were HIV positive. A content analysis technique was applied and UCINET software was used to draw the social network sociograms of participants. Results indicate that social networks have a direct influence on the HIV status of participants. Most participants who were HIV positive (12 of 14) abandoned their former network members and established new social networks. Those who were HIV negative maintained the social networks that they established before their HIV test. For some participants, their social networks became a medium for contracting HIV; for others, their social networks helped protect them from possible infection by the virus. The study suggests that social network analysis provides knowledge for social work practice and planning health interventions.
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