Diagnostic social de l\'infection à VIH/SIDA et stratégies endogènes de prévention à Gaoua, Burkina Faso

Despite sensitising and prevention messages, women still remain concerned about AIDS in developing countries. How do they perceive the illness and methods of prevention? The objective of this study was to assess the social diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, and endogenous strategies developed by women from Gaoua. A qualitative approach was adopted, involving four focus group discussions with women from the Lobi, Birifor, Dioula and Dagara ethnic groups. An interview guide was developed for the discussions, which were carried out in local languages, tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed in detail. Specific descriptions of HIV/AIDS related to signs/symptoms were given. These were: _Kpéré tchi_ (lose weight and die) _gbè yirè_ (twig feet) _sii dan_ (end of life) _gbè milè_ (thin feet), respectively for Lobi, Birifor, Dioula and Dagara. The major signs of AIDS mentioned were weight loss, appetite for meat, good meals, curly hair, large spots on the body, high fever, diarrhoea, and redness of lips. In relation to these signs, some endogenous strategies were developed by women to protect themselves against the illness, including “observation” and hot spiced meals for a few days for a partner who was absent for a long time, as well as early marriage for young girls. The social diagnosis of HIV/AIDS by a specific group like women demonstrates the gap between perceptions of the illness and prevention messages. This could help to understand that it is important to take account of communities\' perceptions of illness in elaboration of prevention messages.En dépit de la sensibilisation et des messages reçus pour la prévention, les femmes restent encore plus que jamais concernées par le VIH/SIDA dans les pays en développement. Comment perçoivent-elles la maladie et les moyens de prévention? Le but de cette étude est d\'évaluer le diagnostic social de l\'infection à VIH/SIDA et les stratégies endogènes de prévention des femmes de Gaoua. Une approche qualitative fut adoptée. Quatre focus groups furent réalisés avec des femmes Lobi, Birifor, Dioula, Dagara. La constitution des groupes de discussion (8-12 personnes), les jours, le lieu et la place de la discussion ont été négociés avec les femmes leaders. Un guide d\'entretien fut élaboré pour la conduite des discussions. Celles-ci ont été menées dans les langues locales et ont été enregistrées, transcrites en verbatim et analysées ligne par ligne. Des dénominations spécifiques du VIH/SIDA faisant chacune référence à un signe/symptôme de la maladie ont été décrites. Les dénominations sont respectivement pour les Lobi, Birifor, Dioula et Dagara _Kpéré ci_ (maigrir et mourir) _gbè yirè_ (pieds en brindilles) _sii dan_ (fin de la vie) _gbè milè_ (pieds minces). Les principaux signes décrits du SIDA sont l\'amaigrissement, l\'appétit pour la viande, les bons repas, les cheveux frisés, de gros boutons sur le corps, la forte fièvre, la diarrhée, le rougissement des lèvres. Au regard des signes décrits et pour se protéger efficacement contre la maladie, des stratégies endogènes de prévention de la maladie sont adoptées par les femmes. Les principales sont la “mise en observation” par la consommation d\'aliments très pimentés pendant quelques jours pour un mari resté pendant longtemps absent du foyer conjugal, le mariage précoce des jeunes filles. Le diagnostic social du VIH/SIDA par un groupe spécifique tel que celui des femmes, montre le décalage qui peut exister entre les perceptions de la maladie et les messages de prévention reçus. Ceci pourrait aider à comprendre l\'échec de certaines stratégies de prévention et l\'intérêt qu\'il y a à prendre en compte les perceptions des communautés de la maladie dans l\'élaboration des messages de prévention. Keywords: Diagnostic social du VIH/SIDA, dénominations du VIH/SIDA, femmes, prévention, Burkina Faso. SAHARA J Vol. 5 (1) 2008: pp. 19-2

Attitudes towards Human Papillomavirus vaccination among African parents in a city in the north of England: A qualitative study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted and has been conclusively linked to cervical cancer and genital warts. Cervical cancer is attributed to approximately 1100 deaths annually in UK, and is the second most common female cancer globally. It has been suggested that black African women are more predisposed to HPV infection and cervical cancer. A vaccine has been developed to reduce HPV infection, and in the UK, has been offered to 12-13 year old adolescent girls through schools as part of their childhood immunization programme since 2008. Upon programme initiation, it was noted that vaccine uptake was lower in schools where girls from ethnic minority groups were proportionately higher. Objectives: The study’s objectives were to explore factors influencing UK based African parents’ acceptance or decline of the HPV vaccine, whether fathers and mothers share similar views pertaining to vaccination and any interfamily tensions resulting from differing views. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted with five African couples residing in north England. Face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out. Participants were parents to at least one daughter aged between 8 and 14 years. Recruitment was done through purposive sampling using snowballing. Results: HPV and cervical cancer awareness was generally low, with awareness lower in fathers. HPV vaccination was generally unacceptable among the participants, with fear of promiscuity, infertility and concerns that it’s still a new vaccine with yet unknown side effects cited as reasons for vaccine decline. There was HPV risk denial 3 as religion and good cultural upbringing seemed to result in low risk perceptions, with HPV and cervical cancer generally perceived as a white person’s disease. Religious values and cultural norms influenced vaccine decision-making, with fathers acting as the ultimate decision makers. Current information about why the vaccine is necessary was generally misunderstood. Conclusion: Tailored information addressing religious and cultural concerns may improve vaccine acceptability in African parents