Studying HIV / AIDS and related issues of prostitution and death

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dc.contributor.authorAnarfi, J.
dc.contributor.authorOhemeng, F.
dc.date.accessioned2020-02-24T16:45:40Z
dc.date.available2020-02-24T16:45:40Z
dc.date.issued2015-04-17
dc.descriptionSchool of social sciences colloquiumen_US
dc.description.abstractThe African AIDS epidemic gave rise to a need for new methods of research and for modifications to existing methods because of the great sensitivity of the subject. The sensitivity stemmed from the fact that in sub-Saharan Africa, the main mode of transmission of the disease is heterosexual relations. Meanwhile, traditional society attempted to ensure that betrothed girls went to their husbands as virgins and that wives remained sexually faithful. Thus, a woman infected with AIDS was, and is still taken to be an accusation of prostitution and a man infected was regard ed as promiscuous. The triad of AIDS, prostitution and promiscuity made the issue even more sensitive and raised many ethical, political and legal concerns when studying them. Thankfully, the AIDS epidemic led to apprehension of infection, and, on the part of many people who feel they may be in danger, to a desire to discuss modes of trans mission and risks even if it does mean divulging why they feel they are at risk and the nature of that risk. It has thus become possible to research the social context of AIDS and the related issues of prostitution and even death. The challenges, ethical and methodological issues involved in studying such sensitive topics have been explored. We further explore what it means to investigate Ghanaian women engaged in prostitution, the experiences of HIV / AIDS patients, their carers and how they perceive their deaths. We argue that in order to achieve the aim of the study, the processes and the methods involved in collecting the data are critical and must be undertaken by experienced researchers. Strict anonymity and confidentiality must be observed and community interest and excitement must be kept to a minimum by not taking the whole community into confidence. In addition, the authors reflect on the emotions involved when researching into the issues. The authors make suggestions for reducing the emotions inherent in studying sensitive issues.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/34924
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Ghanaen_US
dc.subjectAIDSen_US
dc.subjectSub-Saharan Africaen_US
dc.subjectprostitutionen_US
dc.subjectpromiscuityen_US
dc.titleStudying HIV / AIDS and related issues of prostitution and deathen_US
dc.typeOtheren_US

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