The Social Construction of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in South African Communities

Abstract

Since the medical link between sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS was established, there has been an increased focus on the spread of STIs in South Africa. The aim of this study was to provide an in-depth picture of the dynamics involved in sexuality and the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS. The authors present the findings of a focus group study, which was a part of a larger, national project addressing the broad question of health-care seeking behavior for STIs. A discourse analysis carried out on 10 focus groups reveals complex and rich narratives on the way in which STIs are constructed in South African communities. The dominant discourses focused on the continuing stigmatization of STIs, causal explanations, and prevention strategies. The analysis raises important recommendations for both educational interventions and health services toward the challenge of halting the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS.

Sexually transmitted infections in Pakistan

“…Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum , facilitates the transmission of HIV 12. We observed a 29.5% prevalence of syphilis, which supports the studies by Basal et al9 and Rehan,10 reporting 32.4% and 31.6% syphilis infection rate, respectively, in the region.…”

“…Although the course of many of these STIs is benign even without treatment, some infections may lead to long-term sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and cervical cancer. Their epidemiological profile varies with geography and depends upon ethnic, demographic, social and economic factors 1–3…”

Physician–Patient Relationship

“…For example, Shefer, et al (2002) found through analysis of transcribed focus group discussions with Black South Africans that there were many incongruities between their understandings and explanations of sexually transmitted infections and accepted medical knowledge regarding this health issue. Examples of this incongruity included a popular belief that only women could spread sexually transmitted diseases.…”

“I Wish our Gender Could Be Dual”

“…of themes including sports (Morell 1996), socialization (Adomako Ampofo 2001;Boateng et al 2006;Adomako Ampofo & Boateng 2007;Shefer et al 2008;Oxlund 2012), sexuality (Silberschmidt 2001;Ratele 2004Ratele , 2006Brown et al 2005;Wood et al 2007;Baaz & Stern 2009), fatherhood (Morell 2005(Morell , 2006Agorde 2006;Hunter 2006), occupations (Agadjanian 2002), health (Walsh & Mitchell 2006), as well as violence and crime (Campbell 1992;Wood & Jewkes 1997;Barker & Ricardo 2005;Agorde 2007;Groes-Green 2009). However, many scholars and international development agencies focus on what Connell (1987;Connell & Messerchmidt 2005) has termed "hegemonic masculinity" 4 -a type of masculinity which embraces power (Kimmel 1994)-and its detrimental effects on women (and other "types" of men).…”