HIV in african country Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

HIV in african country - Research Paper Example The following are some of the cultural factors which contribute to increased rate of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. HIV in South Africa Tiruneh (2009, p.106) argues that in South Africa the rank of women is below that of men and the society is male dominated. During socialization, women are meant to the belief that women are inferior to them. Women are supposed to be submissive and have respect for men. Inequality in power between the two sexes put women at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Because of the position they hold in the society, women have no say on sexual matters. The choice of whether or not to use condoms is entirely depended on men. Discrimination against people with HIV makes it hard for prevention of the disease. Patients fear seeking medical assistance because they will be discriminated by the rest of the community members. Because of fear of signaling the HIV status, infected people fear adopting behaviors related to the disease. For instance, breast feeding mot hers continue to breastfeed their young children for fear that other people will question them the reasons behind lack of breastfeeding. Infected men fear using condom for fear of being suspected by their partners (Human Sciences Research Council, 2009, p.66). Sexuality is perceived as a source of economic benefit. Commercial sex workers are very many in South Africa, an aspect which contributes to the high rates of HIV and Aids transmission. Material possession and association with many partners is a sign of prestige among South African black men. In exchange for money and large gifts, young ladies are tempted to engage in sexual activities with aged men. The young ladies affect young men who in turn infect other women and the cycle goes on. The disease is also spread to older women by their husbands (Tiruneh, 2009, p.115). According to Tiruneh (2009, p.117), many people in South Africa, especially the illiterate ones, lack adequate knowledge concerning HIV disease, how it is trans mitted and the risks which expose an individual to the disease. Illiteracy levels are higher among girls who in most cases fail to complete basic education (Buve, Bishikwabo-Nsarhaza & Mutangadura, 2002, p.2014). The culture of South Africa requires women to undertake domestic chores which make them lack time to interact with the outside world. Lack of guidance and counseling on sexuality issues and poor access to protective devices like condoms make youths engage in unsafe sex. Other people fail to buy condoms for fear that it will portray them as immoral. Some of the cultural practices which are related to sexuality increase the prevalence of HIV and Aids disease. Many South Africans have negative attitudes toward condom use. First, it is associated to mistrust and unfaithfulness in relationships. Secondly, South African men believe that sex without condom is more pleasurable and it is good for human health (Brummer, 2002, p.12). Cultural Assessment Model Cultural assessment model s include research design, cross-cultural and panel. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression will be used in the estimation of models used within the paper. The method will be used to determine the impacts that HIV disease has on regional, cultural, political and socioeconomic factors. Prevalence of the disease among the adult population will be used as the dependent variable. The number of infected people between the ages of 15