Marseille 2007
| Abstract #344 - Mens attendance in health care facilities and social representations in Burkina Faso | ||||
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Session: 43.5: Access and models of care (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 16.30-18.30 in CP Chaired by Joseph Okone, Martha Nthenge Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Blandine Bila - IRSS/CNRST, Burkina Faso |
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| Additional Authors: Mrs Blandine Bila, Mr Marc Egrot, Mrs Alice Desclaux, | ||||
| Aim: Research carried out within the framework of the ANRS 1281 program (2003-2005) in Burkina Faso has revealed a noticeably low presence of men compared to that of women in health-care facilities. This study examined this phenomenon using anthropological analysis based on social representations of HIV and masculinity to investigate this discrepancy and its consequences for men in accessing the best quality medical treatment and follow-up. | ||||
| Method / Issue: The study consists of ethnographic surveys combined with direct observation and individual and semi-structured interviews of 53 PLWHA and 37 actors in the health-care system as well as group interviews. The protocol took into account ethical considerations regarding contact with participants, the establishment of confidentiality and consent to participate in the study. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Direct observation of PLWHA in health-care facilities shows a low presence of men, also found in the numbers recorded for queues for consultations or pharmacies and at discussion groups and other connected activities. In 2005, the reported ratio of men/women recorded in seven health-care facilities for PLWA/HIV (associations, public, denominational structures and others) was from 0,4 to 0,67. For PLWHA on ART, this ratio was between 0,33 and 0,67. The analysis of socio-cultural mechanisms that explain this situation highlights a negative social representation of HIV infection, considered by infected men as an undignified illness. Many describe their seropositivity as a defeat detrimental to their social image. The fear of being viewed in an humiliating situation in HIV health-care facilities, that are comparable to places of charity, also intensifies this feeling of failure. For health-care providers, this attitude of males noted in HIV health-care facilities leads to delays in consultations and lower-quality medical follow-up when compared to women. | ||||
| Discussion: This analysis shows that men feel much more difficulty than women about resorting to health-care facilities for PLWHA and that the quality of the follow-up is often lower. The effects of this reluctance among men to practice testing and seek care will be discussed relative to the vulnerability faced by women. | ||||
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