Aids in Rural Botswana: Poverty, Gender Inequality, Marginalization, and Stigma

Despite the efforts of the government, Botswana continues to face one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates. The common approaches to address HIV prevalence based on medical and behaviour models have not been effective. Particularly in rural areas, people avoid facing the reality of HIV/AIDS due to fear and stigma. In this project, the linkage between HIV/AIDS and social, economic and cultural factors is explored in rural areas of northern Botswana, where marginalized minority groups, particularly the San, live in extreme poverty. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups in 2004. The analysis indicates that poverty, gender inequality, traditional beliefs related to illness and healing, marginalization, and stigma interact and create key barriers to current HIV prevention strategies. Recommendations based on my research and fieldwork indicate that HIV/AIDS prevention program must address poverty, gender equality, complexity of cultures, marginalization and stigma reduction at all levels. This book should be useful to policy analysts and development workers in the HIV/AIDS field, especially those studying and working with minority groups.