HIV/AIDS and the Power of Decision Making

Regarding the HIV-infection rate of 14 percent in 2005, South Africa is battling with one of the most severe HIV/AIDS pandemics worldwide. Obviously, HIV/AIDS programs have had only scarce effects on the growing prevalence rate. The strategies of the national and international health-promotion seem to lack the recognition of cultural preconditions of the people. The socio-cultural upbringing of an individual with all its morale and normative codex is channelling situations of socializing with other people, such as friendships and partnerships are. The book is based on research data gathered during several field stays in a South African township. After giving a brief introduction into the cultural understanding of sickness and healing the author puts her main focus on the vulnerability of the women to the pandemic with reference to gender power relations. Besides, she identifies the invisibility of the actual outspread of the virus as the main source of stagnation of the Anti-HIV/AIDS battle. Finally, this book is supposed to highlight the inevitable need for cultural knowledge at the outset of any HIV/AIDS program of governmental and non-governmental organisations.