Behaviour formation and girls vulnerability to hiv/aids: the case of two communities of coastal regions in Tanzania
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Female youths’ vulnerability to reproductive health and sexual health challenges, including HIV and AIDS in Tanzania is attributable to many factors, with the parenting process being one of them. This qualitative study, focusing on Zogowale Village in Kibaha District, Coast Region and Vibaoni Village in Handeni District, Tanga Region, used a number of research techniques to generate the required information on the sexual behaviour formation and vulnerability of female youth in the context of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. This exploratory study used 12 Case Studies and 10 Key Informant interviews, whose participants were drawn from parents of various ages and socio-economic backgrounds as well as faith-based and formal education institutions and traditional initiation rites—and the youth themselves to gather its data for analysis. Observations and documentary review were also made to triangulate the information collected through other methods. The study established that ignorance of parents on sexuality issues as they relate to HIV and AIDS limited their capacity to tutor and influence youth sexual behaviour so as to reduce their vulnerability to the pandemic and other sexual health-related challenges. The situation was found to be compounded by the absence of formal structures in the two communities under study to prepare parents on how to handle such issues with their children. It was also established that the traditional structures, such as initiation rites, coupled with social taboos and customs, failed to provide adequate and appropriate sexuality education beyond how to practice sex particularly in marriage. The communities whose parenting processes and socialisation were gender-biased ended up feminising the HIV and AIDS pandemic, with the female youth suffering the most. In fact, the inability of these parenting institutions to keep abreast of changes in the context in which these youth live undermines their capacity to moderate their sexual behaviour within the context of HIV and AIDS. On the basis of these findings, the study recommends the development of a coherent, systematic and comprehensive sexuality education targeting parents. Also, gender-based programmes should be mainstreamed in all parenting strategies and processes. Furthermore, there should be deliberate efforts exerted towards co-ordinating parenting structures, processes and programmes. In addition, ,the nation should consider having parenting-based programmes to equip parents with skills needed to produce quality and healthy youth capable of making informed decisions on their sexual health and behaviour.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HQ51.T34B33 )
Keywords
Sexual ethics, Girls, Aids, disease, Coastal regions, Tanzania
Citation
Bagile, A.R (2014) Behaviour formation and girls vulnerability to hiv/aids: the case of two communities of coastal regions in Tanzania.Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.