Abstract #287  -  The opinions of the Batswana people in Botswana on HIV/AIDS prevention and care strategies in Botswana.
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Dr Cily Tabane - Human Sciences Research Council
Additional Authors:
Aim: The UNAIDS reports that in 2007, 2.5 million people were newly infected with HIV throughout the world (UNAIDS, 2007). In Sub-Saharan, 1.7 million adults and children were reported with new HIV infections in 2007. It is also reported that in Botswana, 270 000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2005 (UNAIDS, 2006).In Sub- Saharan, Botswana still remains the most affected country (UNAIDS, 2007). HIV prevention, care and treatment are for life and prevention initiatives and national programmes should not be short – term or isolated. The socio-economic and cultural factors seem to influence the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Botswana (McDonald (1996) and therefore strategies to combat HIV/AIDS should take cultural practices into consideration. The aim of the study was to find out from Batswana people in Botswana what could be done in terms of HIV/AIDS prevention,care and treatment strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in Botswana.
Method / Issue: The combined quantitative- qualitative research approach and applied research was used. The exploratory design was appropriate for the study. The focus group discussions consisted of a sample of 48 respondents and structured interviews had 66 respondents. The study was conducted in Francistown, Selibi-Phikwe, Gaborone which are urban areas and their surrounding rural areas Sebina, Sefophe and Gabane respectively. At the time of the study, these areas were reported to have high HIV/AIDS prevalence. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program.
Results / Comments: The qualitative and quantitative empirical research findings suggested that prevention programmes need to take cultural aspects such as circumcision, religion, traditional ceremonies, marriage/polygamy and agricultural practices into consideration. VCT should be continued to be aggressively advertized. These practices are important as some protect people from HIV infections and some contribute to the spread of HIV. For example, about (52%) of the respondents felt that existing prevention, care and treatment programmes do not take culture into consideration. The majority of the respondents (79%) felt that families should take responsibility in educating children about HIV/AIDS.
Discussion: Cultural practices play an important role in communities and therefore should be taken into consideration when HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment strategies are designed. This will attract the cooperation of communities in a joint attempt to combat HIV/AIDS. Communities should not be discouraged to practice their culture.
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