Cultural Implications of Death and Loss from AIDS Among Women in South Africa

Abstract

Over 1.8 million people have died of AIDS in South Africa, and it continues to be a death sentence for many women. The purpose of this study was to examine the broader context of death and loss from HIV/AIDS and to identify the cultural factors that influenced existing beliefs and attitudes. The participants included 110 women recruited from 3 communities in South Africa. Focus group methodology was used to explore their perceptions surrounding death and loss from HIV/AIDS. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, our findings revealed that there were positive perceptions related to how women cope and respond to death and loss from HIV/AIDS. Findings also revealed existential responses and negative perceptions that strongly influence how women make sense of increasing death and loss from HIV/AIDS. In the advent of rising death and loss from HIV/AIDS, particularly among women, interventions aimed at reducing negative perceptions while increasing positive and existential perceptions are needed. These interventions should be tailored to reflect the cultural factors associated with HIV/AIDS.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, No. R24 MH068180. We thank the following students for participating in data collection: Vuyisile Mathiti, Heidi Wichman, Tshipinare Marumo, Shahieda Abrahams, Thandiwe Chihana, Nashrien Khan, Roro Makubalo, Xolani Nibe, Gail Roman, Matlakala Pule, and Nadira Omarjee. For human participant protection, the study protocol was approved by the institutional review boards of Penn State University and the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.