Empowering women through HIV prevention programmes

Abstract

In South Africa, women are the most affected and vulnerable group to HIV and have shouldered most of the caretaking responsibilities. The current study aimed to empower women through HIV prevention programmes, particularly those living with HIV. A qualitative research design was adopted, and an interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) was used in this study. The researcher used in-depth interviews with seven black and three Indian participants aged between 36 to 58 years old. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. The findings indicated that the women faced many challenges in their lives. They experienced challenges, socio-economic, psychological as well as emotional ones. Despite these challenges, the women were able to cope. However, their coping strategies need to be enhanced. Cultural barriers were not a problem for the women in this study. The theoretical framework adopted in the study comprised models and theories with the social-ecological and feminist theories being the most applicable. Recommendations for future research as well as for the Department of Health (DoH) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), were provided to facilitate HIV prevention programmes to reduce the spread of HIV.