Exploring the Relationship Between Food Insecurity, Gender Roles and HIV/AIDS Among Tonga Carers of Disabled Children of Binga in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Many people are reluctant to access voluntary counselling and testing services for fear of stigma and the implications of death often associated with a positive HIV diagnosis. This study however noted how Tonga females residing in Binga, one of Zimbabwe's poorest and most food insecure districts, were eager for an HIV positive result in order to secure food handouts from Non-Governmental Organisations. Using a conceptual framework developed by Weiser and colleagues for understanding the bidirectional links between food insecurity and HIV/AIDS linkages, this paper explored the relationship between food insecurity, gender roles and HIV/ AIDS. Qualitative in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group discussions were conducted with 53 caregivers and four healthcare personnel. Data were analysed using content analysis. The findings show the interrelationship between food insecurity, gender roles and HIV/AIDS entwined in a vicious cycle that heightens vulnerability to and worsens the severity of each condition. The findings from this study can help in informing policy interventions geared towards HIV/ AIDS, gender inequality and food insecurity.

Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes Other than Malnutrition in Southern Africa: A Descriptive Systematic Review

“…Fourteen studies published between 2006 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria. Five were conducted in South Africa [17][18][19]28,29], two in Zimbabwe [30,31] and one each in Zambia [32], Tanzania [33], Madagascar [34], Malawi [35], Namibia [36] and Botswana [37]. One study was carried out in Botswana and Swaziland [38].…”

“…Three studies used mixed methods, ten used quantitative methodology and one used qualitative methods including in-depth interviews, participant observations and focus group discussions. The sample sizes varied from 53 [31] to 8790 respondents [30] (see Table 1). We found no peer-reviewed studies that were carried out in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola examining the relationship between FI and health outcomes.…”

Household food insecurity and its association with self-reported male perpetration of intimate partner violence: a survey of two districts in central and western Uganda

“…Although women tend to have less control over the household budget, they are often held responsible for feeding the family and blamed if they fail to provide food on the table, leading to different harmful coping strategies such as transactional sex, which in turn increases their risk of HIV. 33 Given the increasing reports of food insecurity in Uganda 26 and the lack of existing literature in lowincome and-middle income sub-Saharan African settings, it is important to investigate the potential link between food insecurity and male-perpetrated IPV in the country. The primary aims for the present study were to determine the prevalence of lifetime male IPV perpetration among a representative sample of males in two Ugandan districts, and to assess its association with food insecurity.…”

“…Although women tend to have less control over the household budget, they are often held responsible for feeding the family and blamed if they fail to provide food on the table, leading to different harmful coping strategies such as transactional sex, which in turn increases their risk of HIV. 33 …”

Challenges Faced by Community Volunteers in Community Development: Voices from Volunteers in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe

“…With failing crops because of droughts, the constant price increases have culminated in food insecurity for the rural dwellers that include the volunteers. The majority of rural people, Chegutu residents included, rely on purchasing food since they do not produce enough for consumption (Muderedzi et al, 2019).…”