Perceptions of risk and level of precaution used to prevent HIV/AIDS infection : A study of Zimbabwean migrant women living in Johannesburg
Date
2008
Authors
Munyewende, Pascalia Ozida
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Abstract
Perception of risk was used as an independent variable and behaviour as the
dependent variable in the research with the assumption that level of precaution used
during sexual practices to safeguard against HIV infection will be positively related to
the perception of risk to HIV. The conclusiveness of this approach was dependent on
evidence that participants know what risky behaviour can contribute to contracting
HIV/AIDS and on their willingness to report their risk perception honestly. A
snowball sample consisting of 15 Zimbabwean women living in and around
Johannesburg was employed. Research objectives were addressed through semistructured
interviews. For all participants, perception of risk was qualified by a
number of factors. Common precautionary strategies identified by women were to
remain faithful to one partner and being more contemplative when choosing bed
partners and using condoms. High risk perception was marked by having had various
sexual partners, inconsistently using condoms, fear of sexual violence, mistrust of
partners, feeling of fear of vulnerability to HIV whenever they had sex and survival
concerns. Migrant women’s adoption of safe sex was limited by their circumstances
and strategies of risk management and in particular their biases in assumptions about
their partners’ sexual histories. This exposes them to the vulnerabilities of HIV/AIDS.
Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
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Keywords
perceptions, risk, precaution, HIV/AIDS, Zimbabwean migrant women, Johannesburg