Sociocultural factors favoring HIV infection and the integration of traditional women"s associations in AIDS prevention in Kolda, Senegal

These sources are the Dimba (members of a respected traditional women"s association who help women with problems of sterility and miscarriage) and women of the Laobe ethnic group (who make and sell products to enhance sexual pleasure). Interviews were conducted with residents of the region and members of the Dimba and Laobe groups. Findings show that (1) indigenous belief systems do not acknowledge a link between sexual relations and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs); (2) women may be at increased risk of HIV infection due to use of products aimed at enhancing sexual pleasure; (3) multiple partnerships and frequent partner change are common as a result of polygamy, divorce and remarriage, extramarital relationships, and migration; (4) the vast majority of the survey sample had never heard of condoms; (5) modern contraceptives are used rarely, while traditional means of birth control are used widely; and (6) despite media campaigns, 10% of the sample had never heard of AIDS. Because the research team succeeded in integrating itself as an official subgroup of the Dimba, it was able to take advantage of the Dimba"s position to educate the community about STDs and HIV/AIDS; it also provided condoms to Dimba therapists to promote among their patients. The team found it more difficult to work with the Laobe because they are an itinerant group, yet succeeded in introducing condoms as one of the products sold by Laobe women and in convincing them of the marketability of the condom as an erotic product. Includes references.