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Examining HIV/AIDS in southern Africa through the eyes of ordinary southern Africans
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Examining HIV/AIDS in southern Africa through the eyes of ordinary southern Africans
This paper marries public opinion survey data from the Afrobarometer series with epidemiological data about HIV/AIDS in seven Southern African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana) to examine (1) the degree to which people are aware and are willing to speak of the pandemic, and (2) whether the public opinion data corroborate, broadly, the epidemiological data.
Whiteside, Alan; Mattes, Robert · 2002
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Abstract
Also examined is the degree to which HIV/AIDS affects southern Africans" political priorities and participation and expectations for government action. The study finds that nationally representative survey data support the epidemiological data in many ways, providing an independent corroboration of expected levels of AIDS illness and death across the region. Epidemiological estimates of AIDS deaths and popular experiences of AIDS deaths are closely correlated. In political terms, the Afrobarometer tells us some surprising things. Even where HIV/AIDS has reached severe levels and people are dying in large and rising numbers, and even where people know those deaths are the result of HIV infection, very few place HIV/AIDS high on the agenda for government action. Rather, the epidemic is superseded in most countries by demands for the government to create jobs, expand the economy, reduce crime, and improve security, or is masked by demands for overall improvements in health-related services. (Author abstract, modified)
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