HIV/AIDS in Context: the Culture of Health Promotion Among Ndau Women in Rural Zimbabwe Lynne Duffy
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Walden University ScholarWorks Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for Outstanding University Awards Dissertation 2002 HIV/AIDS in context: The culture of health promotion among Ndau women in rural Zimbabwe Lynne Duffy Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/hodgkinson This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the University Awards at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for Outstanding Dissertation by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HIV/ AIDS in Context: The Culture of Health Promotion Among Ndau Women in Rural Zimbabwe by Lynne Duffy BScN, University de Moncton, 1985 MEd., University of New Brunswick, 1996 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University November 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3098037 UMI UMI Microform 3098037 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DISSERTATION OF LYNNE DUFFY APPROVED: PAULA E. PEINOVICH, PhD EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST WALDEN UNIVERSITY 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Walden University HEALTH SERVICES This is to certify that I have examined the doctoral dissertation by Lynne Duffy and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Dr. Jeanne L. Connors, Committee Chair Health Services Faculty Signature f - Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Walden University HEALTH SERVICES This is to certify that I have examined the doctoral dissertation by Lynne Duffy and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects. Dr. Sigrin Newell, Committee Member Education Faculty / // Signature V Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Walden University HEALTH SERVICES This is to certify that I have examined the doctoral dissertation by Lynne Duffy and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects. Dr. Raymond W. Thron, Committee Member Health Services Faculty eh 6"J (/ Signature Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Walden University HEALTH SERVICES This is to certify that I have examined the doctoral dissertation by Lynne Duffy and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects. Dr. Barbara Knudson, Faculty Representative Human Services Faculty Signature ^ Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT This ethnographic study explored factors that facilitate or hinder women's participation in health promotion and HIV prevention in the Mt. Selinda area of rural Zimbabwe. Rates of HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe are among the highest in the world and increasing most quickly among young females. A purposeful convenience sample of 11 Ndau women (key participants) was interviewed twice. Seventeen key informants and four focus groups offered further perspectives. The resulting narrative presents a picture of Ndau women's existence that is difficult and oppressive. Females are socialized early to be workers and mothers within a context of limited voice, subservience, violence, and economic powerlessness. Application of a health promotion framework reinforced the reality that these women are generally unable to use measures for HIV prevention. Socio-cultural and economic factors of gender inequality were analyzed through an ecological approach, showing that cultural beliefs and practices, along with national and international forces, support and sustain gender inequality. If there is to be change in the AIDS crisis, the study's findings suggest that HIV prevention strategies should be integrated within a participatory community development model that includes opportunities for both men and women to carry out gender analysis. While health professionals must understand and be sensitive to culture and context, existing unjust and inequitable structures at all levels of society must be examined and challenged. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. HIV/AIDS in Context: The Culture of Health Promotion Among Ndau Women in Rural Zimbabwe by Lynne Duffy BScN, Universite de Moncton, 1985 MEd., University of New Brunswick, 1996 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Health Services Walden University November 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATIONS This work is first of all dedicated to my husband, Dave, who exemplifies a role model for relationships based on gender justice, and who has supported me through this in so many ways. He is truly "the wind beneath my wings." Second, this is dedicated to all women who experience oppression and gender injustice. May there be cultural and economic transformation for both women and men so that narratives like these will soon be only stories of the past. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS A dissertation process is considered a journey and can be a difficult and lonely one at times. In a distance program this is even more real, and when researching thousands of miles from home and university, the aloneness is amplified. Yet, the faculty and staff of Walden University made it less so through their caring and responsive manner at residencies and through e-mail contact. Dr. Robert Hoye guided me through my first year, and then committee chair Dr. Jeanne Connors, with members Dr. Sigrin Newell and Dr. Ray Thron, continued to challenge and nurture my thinking and writing. Dr. Barbara Knudson joined later as the 4th committee member, and she added further to the support and encouragement. My mother, Pauline Ervin, deserves recognition for being not only a role model for what women can do, but also for the continued guidance and assistance she has provided over the years. The Mt. Selinda Hospital staff and all participants were so supportive of this undertaking, as well as Chief Mapungwana, a very wise and caring leader of his people. May this project be a catalyst for social change in Mt. Selinda so that all may enjoy improved health and quality of life. I am also grateful to Prentice Hall publishers for permission to use Pender's Health Promotion Model. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables .................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY...................................................... 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement............................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ............................................................................................ 2 The Context........................................................................................................................5 Mt. Selinda ................................................................................................................7 The Women of Mt. Selinda .................................................................................. 10 Purpose of the Study......................................................................................................12 Research Questions .........................................................................................................13 Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................13 The Health Promotion Model..............................................................................15 Definition of Terms .........................................................................................................20 Assumptions ...................... 22 Limitations ...................... 23 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................24 Summary..........................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE......................................................... 27 Introduction .....................................................................................................................27