Model for mitigating stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: Stigma and discrimination affect the daily lives of people living with HIV, with women living in rural areas being more affected than those in urban areas. Existing evidence pointed to the ineffectiveness of the existing framework used to formulate interventions to mitigate HIV stigma and discrimination. It was therefore deemed important to propose a model to strengthen the Zimbabwe government’s efforts to mitigate stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV in the social context of rural Zimbabwe. This was also the main question that this study attempted to answer. The researcher argued that such understanding was deemed necessary for proposing an evidence-based model to support the Zimbabwe government’s efforts in fighting stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV in rural areas. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to propose an evidence-based model for mitigating stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe. Methods: This was a two-phase study conducted within the social constructivism paradigm and qualitative approach. A qualitative approach was more appropriate to this study as it allowed the researcher to merge various data collection methods and reach a holistic understanding of the phenomenon of interest. The researcher combined Hermeneutics Phenomenology with qualitative meta-analysis and theoretical triangulation as a design in this study. Hermeneutics Phenomenology allowed the researcher to address the first two objectives of the study (Phase 1) by vii focusing on the meaning and interpretation of the lived experiences of women living with HIV within the social, cultural, political, and historical context in which those experiences occur. At the same time, qualitative meta-analysis and theoretical triangulation allowed the researcher to use the findings from Phase 1 and the existing literature to design the intended evidence-based model (Phase 2). The research was conducted in rural areas in the Province of Matabeleland South in Zimbabwe. Data was collected through individual in-depth interviews and focus groups from women 18 years old and above living with HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe's rural areas. Findings: The researcher developed two frameworks from the findings of Phase 1. The first framework described the lived experiences of women living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe, while the second one explained the meaning they attached to these experiences. Recommendations: The findings of this study have implications for public health policymakers, public health professionals, health sciences education institutions, and for further research. The model is to guide interventions aimed at mitigating stigma and discrimination against women living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe through behavioural change.