attitudes towards hiv risky cultural practices

8/20/2019 Attitudes Towards Hiv Risky Cultural Practices

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University of Malawi

Chancellor College

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Deart!ent of Sociology

STUDENTS" ATTITUDES TO#A$DS %I& $IS'Y CULTU$AL

($ACTICES) A CASE OF C%ANCELLO$ COLLE*E

UNDE$*$ADUATES

+y

Chrisin Da!,-la

Dissertation s-,!itte. to the Deart!ent of Sociology in artial

f-lfil!ent of the re/-ire!ents for a +achelor"s Degree in Social

Science0

Dece!,er 1223


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A+ST$ACT)

Cultural practices are among the factors that are enhancing the spread of HIV in the country. However,

research on HIV risky cultural practices in general is relatively rare among students. Furthermore,

studies on attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices are even less common. This exploratory

study therefore aimed at investigating students attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices as well

as the influence of the fear of the negative conse!uences of HIV on the attitudes. Findings of the study

show that the ma"ority #$%&' of the students are aware of HIV risky cultural practices, and their

attitudes depend on their knowledge a(out the conse!uences of the risky cultural practices.

The study used a !uantitative approach and data was analysed using )tatistical package for )ocial

)ciences #)*))'. It was considered necessary to conduct the study with college students (ecause there

is less literature availa(le in the area of students attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices.

Furthermore, understanding the cultural context in which the HIV+I-) epidemic occurs and the

peoples perception of the cultural context is important as it may help develop effective HIV+I-)

programmes. It is also expected that this study will generate important knowledge on HIV risky

cultural practices since not much studies have (een done in this area in the country. In addition, the

study will provide a preliminary framework for future studies in the same area.

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DEDICATION

To od.

/ithout ods care, my family would not have (een a(le to support my education.

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AC'NO#LED*EMENTS

0y sincere thanks to 0r. and 0rs. 1.0./. -am(ula, eorge -am(ula, -ixy -am(ula, 2ydia

-am(ula, Felix -am(ula, 3eauty -am(ula, /yson -am(ula, 4ione -am(ula, 0d5iwen"i -am(ula

and the entire -am(ula family for love, support and care.

To my supervisor -r. lister 0unthali, -r. *earson 6tata, 0r. *hilip 7apulula and all staff in the

-epartment of )ociology at Chancellor College.

To my dear friend 1oshua *eace 0kwehiwa whose company at Chancellor College gave me courage.

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TA+LE OF CONTENTS

A+ST$ACT)00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000i

DEDICATION0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ii

AC'NO#LED*EMENTS000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000iii

LIST OF FI*U$ES44444444444444444444444444444444440v

LIST OF TA+LES000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000vi

C%A(TE$ ONE) INT$ODUCTION0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000005

C%A(TE$ T#O) LITE$ATU$E $E&IE#000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003

C%A(TE$ T%$EE) MET%ODOLO*Y00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000052

C%A(TE$ FOU$) FINDIN*S AND DISCUSSION00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000056

C%A(TE$ FI&E) CONCLUSION AND SU**ESTIONS0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000017

$EFE$ENCES000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000018

A((ENDI9 A) TESTS OF SI*NIFICANCE00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000062

A((ENDI9 +) +INOMIAL DIST$I+UTION TA+LES00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000065

A((ENDI9 C) :UESTIONNAI$E00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000061

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LIST OF FI*U$ES)

FI*U$E 5) A CONCE(TUAL MODEL OF DETE$MINANTS OF STUDENTS" ATTITUDES

TO#A$DS %I& $IS'Y CULTU$AL ($ACTICES4444444444444407

v


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LIST OF TA+LES)

Ta,le 5) $eson.ents" oinion on the !a;or !o.e of %I& trans!ission44444444444456

Ta,le 1) $eson.ents


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C%A(TE$ ONE) INT$ODUCTION

HIV+I-) is the most awful calamity the earth has ever encountered. It has affected people all over the

world regardless of race, religion or financial status. In 899:, the num(er of people living with

HIV+I-) world wide was estimated at %9.; million and :< percent of those infected were in su(=

)aharan frica #>6I-)+/H?, 899:'. In 0alawi, the history of HIV+I-) dates (ack to @$A: when

the first case of I-) was diagnosed at 7amu5u Central Hospital in 2ilongwe #?*C and 6C, 899;'.

That time almost 8 percent of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were HIV positive and this

rose to an estimated ;: percent in 8999 #7alipeni, 8999'. Today, 0alawi is considered to (e one of the

countries in the world most affected (y the HIV+I-) epidemic with an HIV prevalence rate of @%

percent in the economically productive age group of @:=%$ years #6C, 899:'. The 6ational I-)

Commission #899;' estimates that from @$A: until today, deaths among adults would have (een 88 999

per year, (ut it has risen to A9 999 per year (ecause of the HIV+I-) epidemic. It further reports that

the actual accumulated num(er of I-) deaths from the start of the epidemic to -ecem(er 899; was

over B%@ 999. t the end of the year 899; it was estimated that $99 999 0alawians were infected with

HIV, and out of every four deaths today, three are caused (y HIV+I-) #6C, 899%'.

HIV+I-) is claiming the lives of young and economically productive men and women leaving (ehind

orphans and the elderly. In @$A6ICF #8998' reports that (y 8999 life expectancy dropped to %9 years.

In 0alawi, HIV is mainly transmitted through heterosexual intercourse. Deports have shown that the

prevailing cultural context has a strong impact on sexual (ehaviour which contri(utes to higher rates of

HIV in the country #)*> and 6C*, @$$$'. )tudies have (een done which have identified some

cultural practices which enhance the spread of HIV, for example, Kupitakufa or kuchotsa milaza

#funerary cleansing rites', chokolo #wife inheritance' and initiation ceremonies #0aluwa=3anda, 899@'.

These play a (ig role in moulding the (ehaviours of people in the country particularly the initiation

ceremonies. For instance, among other things during initiation ceremonies, initiates are encouraged to

experiment with sexual intercourse through kuchotsa fumbi #removing dust' tradition #I(id'. In other

communities, girls who are initiated engage in sexual intercourse with a man termed fisi #hyena' whose

@


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role is to initiate girls into sexual intercourse. The pro(lem here is that the fisi can sleep with several

girls without any protection, there(y putting the girls at a greater risk of contracting HIV #0unthali,

Chim(iri and 4ulu, 899%'.

The definition of culture offered in this proposal has (een taken from Henslin #@$$$E%%' which refers to

the complex whole which includes knowledge, (eliefs, arts, morals, customs, and any other capa(ilities

and ha(its ac!uired (y a person as a mem(er of society. It is important (ecause it serves as an identity

of a community and also helps to maintain positive morality and patriotism. In this proposal, cultural

practices shall refer to all traditional (eliefs and practices that exist in 0alawi such as initiation

ceremonies, chokolo, Kupitakufa, chidzeranu #practice involving exchanging wives', mbulo #temporary

hus(and replacement', fisi #consensual adultery for childless couples #?*C G 6C=899;', and illnesses

(elieved to result from (reaking sexual ta(oos like mdulo #0atinga and 0cConville, 899;'.

505 State!ent of the ro,le!

The presence of HIV+I-) today has ignited a lot of research in the world and 0alawi in particular to

identify areas which need to (e targeted to a(ate the spread of I-) virus. )everal studies have (een

done on areas such as peoples knowledge a(out HIV transmission attitudes towards HIV infected

people, condom use, and HIV+I-). These studies have shown that many people are aware of

HIV+I-), modes of HIV transmission, and HIV preventive measures. Deports have also indicated that

people are fearful of HIV and I-) (ecause it has no cure #0-H), 8999'. Furthermore, a num(er of

studies have also (een done which have identified the cultural practices that enhance the transmission of

HIV. However, there is less literature on studies with college students on HIV risky cultural practices, as

will (e seen in the literature review section. This indicates that the area of HIV risky cultural practices

has received relatively less attention from researchers.

It seems most researchers have neglected to conduct studies on attitudes towards HIV risky cultural

practices and focused on other areas, hence the need for this study. This study explored attitudes of

Chancellor College undergraduates towards HIV risky cultural practices.

501 Ai! of st-.y

The main aim of the study was to find out the attitudes of Chancellor College students towards HIV

risky cultural practices.

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506 Secific o,;ectives

@. To find out if the students know any HIV risky cultural practices

8. To find out why the students consider the cultural practices risky

;. To determine if the students know any person who has ever undergone an HIV risky cultural

practice

%. To find out if fear of the negative conse!uences risky cultural practices influence attitudes

towards the cultural practices.

:. To investigate the students attitudes towards risky cultural practices

50= %yothesis

working hypothesis for this study was that attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices are

influenced (y fear of their negative conse!uences. This hypothesis was (ased on the premise that at

college level, students must have ac!uired intense knowledge a(out the negative conse!uences of HIV

and how it is transmitted as such they are less likely to tolerate any cultural practices which may

transmit HIV despite the significant roles they play in the society.

H@E Fear of the negative conse!uences of HIV risky cultural practices affects attitudes toward

risky cultural practices.

507 Significance of the st-.y

The study may help determine the knowledge of HIV risky cultural practices among college students./hilst determining the knowledge of HIV risky cultural practices among college students, the study

will also serve as a launch pad for further studies in the same area involving larger samples which may

help design successful HIV+I-) intervention programmes targeting risky cultural practices with hope

of a(ating the spread of HIV.

503 Theoretical fra!ewor<

3y definition, an attitude is a learned evaluative response, directed at specific o("ects and it is

relatively enduring and influences (ehaviour in a general motivating way #llport, @$;: and ?skamp,

@$


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ttitudes are very important (ecause they help people gain rewards and avoid punishments and also

ena(le people to express deeper underlying values #2ippa, @$$9E888'. They are more like "udgements

that people make a(out other people, o("ects or situations.

ccording to 7at5s #@$B9', one of the ways through which attitudes are formed is standard learning

processes. There are a num(er of learning theories that explain how attitudes are learnt, (ut the results

of this study shall (e grounded in )kinners #@$:;' ?perant Conditioning theory. In operant

conditioning, there are positive and negative reinforcements. In positive reinforcement, (ehaviour is

rewarded, and that makes it more likely for the (ehaviour to (e repeated #)kinner, @$:;'. For example,

you work hard #(ehaviour', you pass exams #conse!uence', and you are more likely to work hard in

future #maintaining (ehaviour'. ?n the other hand, in negative reinforcement, (ehaviour is not

rewarded, and that makes it less likely for the (ehaviour to (e repeated. Thus, you a(scond from classes

#(ehaviour', you fail exams #conse!uence', and you are less likely to a(scond from classes in future

#changing (ehaviour'. However, it does not necessarily re!uire one to experience (ehaviour to (e

reinforced or not. ven (y simply o(serving, hearing or learning from others, one may still (e

reinforced or not depending on the conse!uences of the (ehaviour #i(id'.

In the case of cultural practices in 0alawis context, it is more likely that the cultural practices that may

enhance the spread of HIV #e.g., kuchotsa fumbi and Kupitakufa' will (e re"ected, or individuals will

have fears for their negative conse!uences and this will affect their attitudes towards them. Thus, thenegative conse!uences of HIV+I-) will make the people have negative attitudes towards such cultural

practices. ?n the other hand, individuals will (e more likely to accept, or have relatively positive

attitudes toward the cultural practices that do not risk HIV infection such as faithfulness in marriage for

fear of mdulo. This implies that individuals will either accept or re"ect a cultural practice depending on

its conse!uences.

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FI*U$E 5) A CONCE(TUAL MODEL OF DETE$MINANTS OF STUDENTS" ATTITUDES

TO#A$DS %I& $IS'Y CULTU$AL ($ACTICES

C-lt-ral (ractice %I& ris


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C%A(TE$ T#O) LITE$ATU$E $E&IE#

?ne of the (arriers to (ehaviour change in the country is culture. s such, to make successful

HIV+I-) programmes, it is important to consider the cultural context in which sexuality and the

sexual acts are expressed. In so doing, areas that need to (e targeted to reduce the spread of HIV can (e

identified. In view of that, some researchers have conducted studies to identify cultural practices that

make people vulnera(le to HIV infection. For instance, >6F* /orld #@$$


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cultural practices (ecause they had positive attitudes towards them. It is therefore important to conduct

a study specifically focusing on peoples attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices.

/angel #@$$:' also conducted a study on HIV related cultural practices in 0alawi among the Chewa.

)he found out that circa @$$9s, HIV+I-) interventions in the country emphasi5ed on safe sex

messages, a(stinence, and (eing faithful to one partner as a road to success in the fight against the

epidemic while neglecting the cultural context of sexuality in the country. The study reports that HIV

risky cultural practices such as kuchotsa fumbi, Kupitakufa, kupita kufa, and mbulo were not considered

when HIV+I-) programmes were (eing developed. Thus, there was silence on the risky cultural

practices as compared to the present day though there is still not much emphasis.

The study suggests the significance of understanding the cultural context in formulating successful

HIV+I-) policies in the society. However, the study only focused on the Chewa tri(e there(y limiting

the application of its findings to the Chewa tri(e only. Furthermore, although the study found that there

was silence on the risky cultural practices, it did not investigate whether the people were comforta(le

with the silence or not. -etermining peoples attitudes in this case is imperative (ecause that can help

develop effective HIV+I-) programmes. In addition, the study did not find out the peoples attitudes

towards the risky practices in the face of HIV.

nother study was conducted (y 6yirenda #899%'. It focused on attitudes of Chancellor Collegestudents towards HIV infected people. The study yielded that most students have positive attitudes

towards people living with HIV+I-), and this was measured (y the responses of the su("ects which

indicated that they did not (lame the infected, (ut instead, they held the context of the society as (eing

responsi(le for the HIV status of the infected. In the study, society context represented poverty and

cultural practices. These findings imply that the students have negative attitude towards cultural

practices. )imilar to the study (y /angel #@$$:' cited a(ove, this study reveals that the cultural context

is also contri(uting to the transmission of HIV in the country.

It is important to note that this study is one of the rare studies in the country that specifically targeted

college students. However, whilst the findings indicate that the students exhi(ited negative attitude

towards cultural practices, it does not specify the cultural practices that the students (lamed. There are

various cultural practices in the 0alawian society, for example, (reaking of sexual ta(oos which may

result into mdulo, and initiations like kuchotsa fumbi. Mdulo is a fatal illness which attacks an unfaithful


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spouse. )uch (eliefs do not pose any risk of contracting HIV, (ut instead they make people faithful to

their partners for fear of death should they engage in sexual intercourse with secret lovers according to

traditional (eliefs #FD 3oucher, 8998E@@


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education like college students. It is therefore important to also consider college students to find out if

education may influence their attitudes towards such cultural practices.

ccording to 4um(a #899@', initiation ceremonies have (ecome almost extinct in -owa district and

have (een replaced (y church organi5ed initiations termed chilangizo. 4um(a further reports that the

church has incorporated some of the traditional values in the chilangizo and left out those values which

are considered to (e immoral. The values that the church incorporated are (acked (y (i(lical texts.

However, the study also found that some parents still feel that the cultural practices which the church

has a(andoned are very important to mould their children into fully fledged mem(ers of the community,

and they continue sending their children for traditional initiation ceremonies.

This study is su("ect to similar criticisms to the studies conducted (y 7ornfield and 6amate #@$$


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C%A(TE$ T%$EE) MET%ODOLO*Y

605 St-.y .esign

The study employed a !uantitative approach. )ince the study was a survey, no control group was used.

ll respondents were asked to complete !uestionnaires with !uestions in nglish. To esta(lish attitudes

towards HIV risky cultural practices, the !uestionnaire determined whether the respondents gave

responses that suggest (lame on things such as recklessness, prostitution, and ignorance or the risky

cultural practices as (eing responsi(le for the transmission of HIV. 3lame on the cultural practices

indicated negative attitudes, and respondents who (lamed other things whilst defending the cultural

practices were considered to have positive attitudes towards the cultural practices.

601 $esearch setting

The study was done at Chancellor College in 4om(a. This site was chosen (ecause it has the largest

population of students as compared to the other constituent colleges of the >niversity of 0alawi and it

also offers a relatively wide variety of courses. s such, attri(utes of students from other colleges can

also (e found with the students of Chancellor College to a larger extent. This may ena(led results to (e

applica(le to the students of other colleges.

606 Sa!ling

The study used a sample of :9 su("ects. To arrive at this sample si5e, calculations were made from the population of Chancellor College undergraduates #88;% students' at confidence interval of @;.< and

$:& confidence level using the )ample )i5e Calculator #))C'. However, though the sample was very

small, it may still represent the entire population (ecause the respondents were selected at random using

the simple random sampling method. The population #list of Chancellor College undergraduates

collected from the college registrar' was stratified into two groups (asing on sex to ensure e!ual

participation from (oth sexes. Then names of males and females were written on e!ual pieces of paper

and were put into two drums one for males and the other one for females. ach drum was rolled and 8:

su("ects were picked from each with replacement to ensure that each of the students from the entire

population had an e!ual chance of (eing picked.

@9


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60= Data collection

The study sought to find out whether knowledge a(out HIV and modes of HIV transmission, influence

attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices. negative attitude was indicated (y (lame on the

cultural practices as (eing responsi(le for promoting risky (ehaviours which make people vulnera(le to

HIV infection, and a positive attitude was determined (y responses in defence of HIV risky cultural

practices while arguing that they play significant roles in the society, and as such, they should (e

maintained.

607 (roce.-res an. research instr-!ents

)tructure of the !uestionnaireE !uestionnaire with !uestions in nglish designed specifically for self

administered survey was used to collect data. The !uestionnaire had different sections each targeting to

measure specific varia(les. 0ost of the !uestions were closed ended to get data which would (e easily

analy5ed using )*)). The closed ended !uestions on the !uestionnaire were designed using the 2ikert

scale. The !uestionnaire was pre=tested on five fourth year sociology students to verify if it would give

the re!uired information.

-elivery of the !uestionnaires was done (y hand in the students hostels and classrooms, and each

!uestionnaire carried an instruction to the respondents to leave the !uestionnaire at the porters lodge

after completion. This method of collecting data was appropriate for this study (ecause the su("ects

were college students who are literate and also a(le to understand !uestions on their own.

603 Data analysis

)tatistical *ackage for )ocial )ciences #)*))' was used for data analysis. De=coding was also used to

transfer data from open ended !uestions into )*)). Then fre!uency ta(les and cross ta(ulations of

demographic factors and other varia(les such as knowledge of HIV, HIV risky cultural practices, were

generated to see if they influenced attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices, and also to test the

hypothesis.

@@


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60> Li!itations of the st-.y

The sample si5e of :9 is very small relative to the si5e of the population. This may restrict application of

the study results to the whole college as well as other colleges. It would also (e ideal to collect in depth

data for this study using a !ualitative approach, (ut this was not done (ecause there were no research

assistants to help in face to face interviews since the study was not funded.

However, although this study will have limitations, it will certainly provide important information

which will give an insight for research involving (ig samples in future.

60> Ethical consi.erations

To ensure confidentiality, the respondents were advised not to indicate their names on the !uestionnaires

or provide any identity information. The !uestionnaires were also administered with an explanation of

the aim of the study, how they had (een selected to participate in the study, and also freedom to choose

whether or not to participate was provided.

@8


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C%A(TE$ FOU$) FINDIN*S AND DISCUSSION

=05 $eson.ents" .e!ograhic varia,les

The study yielded 8: responses from males and 8: responses from females representing @99& response

rate, and all of the respondents had ever heard a(out HIV. )eventy four percent of the respondents were

Christians while 0uslims were 89& and B& were not affiliated to any religion. Degarding age, the

sample comprised the age groups of 89=8% and @:=@$ represented (y A8& and @A& respectively. There

was no respondent with 8: years of age or a(ove. 88& were first year students, ;A& were in second

year, 8B& were in third year, and @%& were in fourth year. ?n program of study, the sample had 89& of

the respondents doing )ocial )cience, A& doing )cience, ;9& doing ducation humanities, B& doing

*u(lic dministration, @A& doing ducation )cience, B& doing 2aw, and @8& doing rts Humanities.

Finally, home districts and percentages of respondents coming from those districts were Chitipa #%&',

7aronga #B&', Dumphi #@9&', 05im(a #A&', 6khata=3ay #B&', 6san"e #A&', -owa #8&', 2ilongwe

#@8&', -ed5a #8&', 6tcheu# B&', 0angochi #8&', 4om(a #B&', Chirad5ulo #%&', 3lantyre #B&',

Thyolo #8&', 0ulan"e #8&', Chikwawa #8&', 6eno #8&', 6tchisi #%&', and 0chin"i #B&'. It was also

determined that @99& of the respondents were raised in ur(an areas.

=01 $eson.ents" oinion on the !a;or !o.e of %I& trans!ission

Fre!uency counts showed that all of the respondents were aware of sexual intercourse as the ma"or

mode of HIV transmission. Ta(le @ shows the results.

Ta,le 5) $eson.ents" oinion on the !a;or !o.e of %I& trans!ission

?pinion )ex Total

0ale Female Fre!uency *ercentage

6eedle sharing 9 9 9 9

3lood transfusion 9 9 9 9

)exual intercourse 8: 8: :9 @99

3reast feeding 9 9

Total 8: 8: :9 @99

lthough @99& of the respondents were aware of sexual intercourse as the ma"or mode of HIV

transmission, they also acknowledged other modes such as (reast feeding, sharing cutting tools, and

(lood transfusion in defence of the argument that all HIV infected people contracted the virus (ecause

of recklessness in !uestion @8a on the !uestionnaire. This shows that the students were fully aware of

HIV and how it is transmitted.

@;


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=06 $eson.ents"


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Ta,le 6) %I& ris


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any cultural practices which involve (lood contact the students would not consider them to (e risky as

they were a(le to outline other modes of HIV transmission apart from sexual intercourse.

=0= St-.ents"


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Ta,le 7) $eson.ents" oinions on whether they wo-l. reco!!en. anyone to -n.ergo an %I&

ris


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for example, kuchotsa fumbi prepares the youth not to have pro(lems when having sexual intercourse in

marriage #see 3oucher, 8998E@@


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)till on determining the students attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices, it was proposed to the

respondents that to reduce the spread of HIV all risky cultural practices should (e a(andoned. Desults

are summari5ed in the following ta(le.

Ta,le >) $eson.ents" views on the roosition that all %I& ris


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s it can (e seen in ta(le A a(ove, most of the respondents #$%&' were of the view that the risky

cultural practices and non risky cultural practices should not (e treated e!ually while only %& agreed.

This implies that the ma"ority of the respondents #$%&' were not necessarily against the cultural

practices, (ut were afraid of HIV transmission through sexual intercourse involved in the cultural

practices. This also agrees to findings yielded in ta(le B where 8%& of the students said that HIV

preventive measures should (e employed in the risky cultural practices and


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Ta,le ?) $eson.ents" oinions on the roosition that %I& contin-es to srea. ,eca-se !essages

.o not foc-s on ris


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=03 IN&ESTI*ATION OF #%ET%E$ FEA$ OF T%E NE*ATI&E CONSE:UENCES OF %I&

$IS'Y CULTU$AL ($ACTICES INFLUENCED T%EI$ ATTITUDES TO#A$D T%E $IS'Y

CULTU$AL ($ACTICES

To investigate if there was any association (etween the respondents attitudes towards HIV risky

cultural practices and their fear for the negative conse!uences of the risky cultural practices, the studyused the Chi=)!uare test of dependency. The investigation was conducted with data collected from two

!uestions @@ and @$. Contingency ta(les were developed (etween each of these !uestions and the

!uestion @9( whose responses suggested fear of the negative conse!uences of the cultural practices

among the students as shown in the 8 ta(les in appendix .

Nuestion @@ wanted to determine the students views on whether to maintain HIV risky cultural

practices which are (elieved to help shape the youth to (ecome fully fledged mem(ers of the society

num(er @$ proposed that all HIV risky cultural practices should (e a(andoned to reduce the spread of

HIV and !uestion @9( sought to investigate the reasons as to why the students would recommend

anyone to undergo an HIV risky cultural practice or not.

Chi=)!uare tests were conducted at :& level of confidence with @ degree of freedom allowed for

num(er @@, and 8 degrees of freedom for !uestion @$. The Chi=)!uare values calculated were @9.@9B

88


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and ;B.


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fre!uency of ;: on agree+strongly agree in ta(le < are significant and not caused (y chance factor. This

shows that these results were not due to chance factors, and therefore, the students fears for the

negative conse!uences of the risky cultural practices affect their attitudes toward the cultural practices.

C%A(TE$ FI&E) CONCLUSION AND SU**ESTIONS

The main aim of this study was to find out students attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices. The

study mainly focused on the students fears of the negative conse!uences of HIV risky cultural practices

that may affect attitudes towards the cultural practices, and to achieve that, the study (ased itsframework on )kinners #@$:;' ?perant Conditioning theory. 3esides the main o("ective, the study also

sought to find out the students knowledge of HIV risky cultural practices, why they consider the

cultural practices risky to determine their knowledge of people who ever got involved in the risky

cultural practices and to find out if fear of the negative conse!uences of HIV risky cultural practices

influenced attitudes towards the cultural practices.

The study considered it necessary to determine the students knowledge of HIV risky cultural practices

(ecause there is an association (etween knowledge of an attitude o("ect and an attitude that a person

may hold a(out the o("ect. Thus, one cannot hold any attitude a(out an o("ect s+he does not know.

Desults showed that most of the students knew HIV risky cultural practices, and the most known risky

cultural practices among the students were Kuchotsa fumbi, Chokolo, Kupitakufa, Chidyerano and Fisi.

The findings indicated that the radio was the ma"or source of information from which most of the

students first heard a(out the risky cultural practices. This could (e (ecause most of the students who

8%


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participated in the study grew up in ur(an areas where cultural practices are not common. These

findings suggest that there is a culture of silence in many families. 0any parents or guardians do not

talk a(out HIV prevention with their children. s such, many children rely on sources outside the

family to learn a(out HIV related issues. This culture of silence in the families is very dangerous as it

may leave children ignorant there(y making them vulnera(le to HIV infection. However, from the

results, it can (e said that there is high level of awareness of HIV risky cultural practices among college

students.

The study also sought to find out if the students knew any(ody who had ever (een involved in any risky

cultural practices. This o("ective was included to confirm the students knowledge of HIV risky cultural

practices. Desults indicated that most of the students did not know any such person. This was possi(ly

(ecause many of the students first learnt a(out HIV risky cultural practices from the radio, and it is

relatively less likely for a person getting such information from the radio to know a person who ever got

involved in a risky cultural practice.

To achieve the main aim of the study that is to find out the attitudes of college students towards HIV

risky cultural practices, the study wanted to investigate the students opinion on a num(er of

propositions. )ome of the propositions wereE whether the students would recommend any(ody to

undergo an HIV risky cultural practice whether to maintain or a(andon HIV risky cultural practices

and whether (oth HIV risky and non=risky cultural practices should (e treated e!ually in the society.Desults indicated that the ma"ority of the students said that they would not recommend any(ody to

undergo an HIV risky cultural practice arguing that they make people vulnera(le to HIV infection. ?n

the second !uestion, all students refuted that (oth HIV risky and non=risky cultural practices should (e

treated e!ually. Instead, they suggested that if the risky cultural practices are really helpful to the

society, then protective measures like condom use should (e considered for safety. From these findings,

it can (e said that most of the students hold negative attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices.

nother o("ective of the study was to investigate the reasons as to why the students considered the

cultural practices they mentioned in the first o("ective to (e risky. This o("ective helped draw further

confirmation of whether the students understood what makes the cultural practices risky. Desults

showed that most students looked at the cultural practices they mentioned as risky (ecause they involve

sexual intercourse which is the ma"or mode of HIV transmission in the country. The study took such

responses to represent fear of the negative conse!uences of the risky cultural practices. Hence, it was

8:


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noted that the ma"ority of the students feared HIV infection which influenced their attitudes towards the

risky cultural practices. These results suggest that if it were not for HIV risky activities that characteri5e

the cultural practices, the students would not have any pro(lems with the cultural practices. However, it

is their fear of HIV transmission which may (e enhanced (y the cultural practices which negatively

influenced their attitudes towards the risky cultural practices.

The study further found that fear of the negative conse!uences of the risky cultural practice does not

always influence attitudes. )ome students said that HIV risky cultural practices should (e maintained

(ecause they have always (een there even (efore HIV came. However, the very students were among

those who said that (oth risky and non=risky cultural practices should not (e treated e!ually. This shows

that the students were afraid of HIV infection, (ut at the same time they would not afford to a(andon the

cultural practices simply (ecause of HIV. The implication here is that although some people may accept

to a(andon all cultural practices that enhance HIV transmission, (ut still some will remain adamant. s

such, it is important to encourage the people to use safety measures like condoms during sexual

intercourse which takes place during kuchotsa fumbi, kupitakufa and other risky cultural practices to

reduce the spread of HIV.

It can therefore (e concluded that the ma"ority of Chancellor College undergraduates have negative

attitudes towards HIV risky cultural practices. For that reason, they are less likely to tolerate any

cultural practices that may make people vulnera(le to HIV infection.

S-ggestions

However, it should (e noted that the participants of the study were raised in ur(an areas where the risky

cultural practices are not common, and that none of them had ever (een involved in any risky cultural

practice. s such, these findings may not always apply to people who ever got involved in the cultural

practices or those who grew up with the cultural practices. Furthermore, due to the design of the study,

the respondents might write in the !uestionnaire what they would not do practically. In view of those

defects, it may (e recommended to conduct a study with students who ever got involved in the risky

cultural practices or those who grew up in the areas where the risky cultural practices are o(served

intensely using a participant o(servational method or any other method which may overcome the

weaknesses of the present study.

8B


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$EFE$ENCES

llport, ./. #@$;:'. ttitudes. In C.0. 0urchison #d.', Handbook of Social Psychology. /orcester,

0E Clark >niversity *ress.

3om(eya, )teve O 0wam(o wa kupitakufa /eekend 6ation, ugust 899; p;

Centre for )ocial Desearch #CD)'. Factors influencing eenage Motherhood in Malawi, CD), 4om(a,

@$$


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7ornfield, D. and 6amate, -, Cultural Practices &elated to H!"#$!%S &isky .eha(iour'Community

Sur(ey in Phalombe, /ilongwe, Malawi' S$FH Pro0ect, 12234 and )*> and 6C*, @$$$.

2ippa, D.. #@$$9'. !ntroduction to Social Psychology) >)E /adsworth.

0atinga, *. and 0cConville, F. Deview of Cultural 3eliefs and *ractices Influencing )exual and

Deproductive Health, and Health=seeking (ehaviour, in 0alawi. -FI- 0alawi, 1uly 899;.

0unthali, .C., Chim(iri, ., and 4ulu, . dolescent )exual and Deprodutive Health in 0alawiE

)ynthesis of Desearch vidence, ?ccasional Deport 6o. @:, 6ew ork and /ashingtonE The lan

uttmacher Institute, 899%.

6C. #899:' HIV )entinel )urveillance )urvey. 2ilongweE 6C

6ational HIV+I-) *olicyE Call to Denewed ction, ?*C and 6C, 899;.

6ational )tatistical ?ffice P0alawiQ and ?DC 0acro 899@. Malawi %emographic and Health Sur(ey

8999. 4om(a, 0alawi and Calverton, 0aryland, >)E 6ational )tatistical ?ffice and ?DC 0acro.

6yirenda, 2.1. ttitudes of college students towards people living with HIV+I-)E case of Chancellor College undergraduates, unpu(lished dissertation, Chancellor College, >niversity of 0alawi, 899%.

?skamp, ). #@$nit #)*>' and 6ational I-) Control *rogram, Malawi5s 6ational &esponse to

H!"#$!%S for 777877-' Combatting H!"#$!%S with &enewed Hope and "igour in the 6ew

Millennium, 2ilongwe, 0alawiE )*> and 6C*, @$$$.

• >6I-)+/H? I-) epidemic update, -ecem(er 899:

• 96$!%S#:H* 77- &eport on the global $!%S epidemic

httpE++www.avert.org+worldstats.htm

8A

http://www.unaids.org/epi/2005/index.asphttp://www.unaids.org/bangkok2004/report.htmlhttp://www.avert.org/worldstats.htmhttp://www.unaids.org/epi/2005/index.asphttp://www.unaids.org/bangkok2004/report.htmlhttp://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm


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>6F* /orld. he State of :olrd Population, >nited 6ations *opulation Fund, @$$7, @$$:.

4um(a, *./.3.). )ocio=cultural factors influencing early sexual (ehaviour among chewa youthE the

case of -owa district, unpu(lished dissertation, Chancellor College, >niversity of 0alawi, 899@.

A((ENDI9 A) TESTS OF SI*NIFICANCE

CHI=)N>D T)T) ?F -*6-6C

ChiS/-are contingency ta,les

Ta(le @9E /hether or not the respondents would agree to a(andon all risky cultural practices to reducethe spread of HIV. R Deason as to why the respondents would recommend or not recommend anyone toundergo any of the risky cultural practices.

Desponse gree+strongly

agree

Indifferent -isagree+strongly

disagree

Dow marginal

es #0*V' ;: #f eK;8.$' @ #f eK;.


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S8 K #f o=f e' 8 U f e

:here FeK xpected fre!uency

FoK ?(served fre!uency

-egrees of freedom #df' K #r=@' #c=@'

:here rK6um(er of rows

cK 6um(er of columns

These Chi=)!uare tests were conducted at :& level of confidence.

A((ENDI9 +) +INOMIAL DIST$I+UTION TA+LES

Ta(le @8E Despondents opinions on whether they would recommend anyone to undergo an HIV risky

cultural practice

Ta,le entry

6 6um(er of * events * #9.:'

:9 %< 9.9999

*#%< no' K 9.9999

Ta(le @;E Despondents opinions on whether to maintain risky cultural practices in the society

Ta,le entry

n 6um(er of * events * #9.:'

:9 ;A 9.9999

*#;A no' K 9.9999*#SKx'K PnCxQ *x#@=*'n=x

:here nK:9 xK;A pK9.:

ChiS/-are test)

Ta(le @%E Despondents views on the proposition that all HIV risky cultural practices should (e

a(andoned

gree+strongly agree Indifferent -isagree+strongly disagree

;: #f [email protected]


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A((ENDI9 C) :UESTIONNAI$E

:UESTIONNAI$E FO$ SOC =52

STUDENTS" ATTITUDES TO#A$DS %I& $IS'Y CULTU$AL ($ACTICES

-ear participant,

This !uestionnaire intends to collect data for a fourth year )ociology student as a re!uirement for

(achelors degree. The study intends to find out attitudes of college students towards HIV risky

cultural practices. There is no correct or wrong answer for the !uestions on this paper. ou are

therefore encouraged to express your true feelings. -o not indicate your name for confidentiality.

ou are free to decide whether or not to participate in this study. I would (e grateful if you can

participate in this study. *lease, tick only one appropriate (ox per !uestion unless specified

otherwise.

A0 This section see


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e' *rogram of studyE 3)?C 3)C 3-H>0 *

3-) 2/ 3H

f' ear of studyE @ 8 ; %

g' /here were you raised Dural area >r(an area

+0 This section see


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#a' es #(' 6o

:(' If yes, list down any three cultural practices you know.

B. /hy do you consider those cultural practices as risky


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@@. a' )ome HIV risky cultural practices help shaping the youth to (ecome fully fledged mem(ers of

the society. -o you think it is necessary to maintain such cultural practices

#a' es #(' 6o

@@(' xplainE

@8. a' HIV infected people contracted the virus (ecause of recklessness.

#a' )trongly agree #(' gree #c' Indifferent #d' -isagree

#e' )trongly disagree

@8(' xplain for your position

@;. )ome cultural practices promote early sexual encounter there(y making the youth vulnera(le to

HIV infection.



@%. )ome cultural practices encourage sexual (ehaviour, and su(se!uently promote HIV

transmission.



@:. HIV is a punishment to unfaithful spouses. -o you agree or not



;%


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@B. HIV continues to spread (ecause HIV+I-) messages do not focus much on risky cultural

practices.



D0 This section see

attitudes towards hiv risky cultural practices

Documents