Background:This study examined the effect of oscillating male migration on rural Zulu women's health. The study investigated the length of male migration and it's association with three sexually transmitted disease outcomes(STD) for women:reported history of STD; women's concern for getting an STD and HIV/AIDS from partner, and her ability to communicate with partner about STD and HIV/AIDS. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1994-1995 in Hlabisa, KwaZulu/Natal South Africa, which administered a socio-behavioral survey to 208 prenatal women selected from the obstetrics ward and prenatal clinics. Results: Length of migration was strongly associated with two of the three STD outcomes in the multivariate analysis. Women who saw partners infrequently had a two fold increased risk of being concerned about getting an STD/HIV from their partner(OR=2.41, 95% CI 0.73-8.01). The greater length of the partner's migration, the less likely women were able to discuss STD/HIV with their partner(OR-0.27 95% CI 0.08-0.91) Conclusion: Women who see their partners on a regular and more frequent basis have fewer reported STD, have a decreased perception of getting STD/HIV from their partner, and were better able to communicate about STD/HIV with their partners. There is a need to develop interventions that just modifiying behavior, but seek to alter social forces, such as migration, that promote risk taking and discourage risk reduction. The present STD and HIV prevention programs should reassess current recommended interventions and utilize culturally and age-specific strategies that will be readily implemented by rural women to control STD and slow the spread of HIV infection.
Learning Objectives: Assess the impact of male labor migration on rural women's health; determine the relationship of male migration on three STD outcomes for women-history of an STD, communicate with partner about STD/HIV, and concerned about being at risk for STD/HIV. Will understand issues relevant to rural women's health in developing country given the social dynamic of male migration. Reassess intervention programs and prevention messages given social dynamics experienced by rural South African women
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Rural Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.