Malawi women and HIV: socio-cultural factors and barriers to prevention.

Heterosexually transmitted HIV/AIDS continues to devastate the health and economy of sub-Saharan African countries. In Malawi, 15.4% of 15-49 year olds are infected with HIV and 18-26% of pregnant women are living with HIV.

The stigma of being HIV-positive in Africa.

Rankin and colleagues argue that HIV-related stigma is fueling the epidemic, and disempowering women even further.

Donkey work: women, religion, and HIV/AIDS in Malawi.

Addressed in this article are the familial, cultural and religious influences on Malawi women that contribute to HIV/AIDS. Thirty-nine adult Malawi women representing voluntary assistance groups, religious groups, and university women participated in 3 focus groups in Malawi. Interview data were taped, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis.