Marseille 2007
| Abstract #377 - THEY DO NOT GET ANGRY. CAMBODIAN WOMEN AND HIV TRANSMISSION | ||||
|
Session: 25.2: Couples (Parallel) on Monday @ 16.30-18.30 in PR Chaired by Jose Catalan, Giovanna Meystre-Agustone Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Soizick CROCHET - CReCSS , France |
||||
| Additional Authors: Prof Alice DESCLAUX, | ||||
| Aim: In Cambodia, in 2006, 42% of new HIV contaminations occur during marital sex and most women do not know about their HIV status. Those receiving a positive result during an antenatal test feel that they are getting information about their husbands marital indiscretion at the same time. In a study on perceptions and practices related to the prevention of HIV transmission through breastfeeding (ANRS 1271), we investigated the experience of Cambodian women regarding HIV counselling and testing. The objectives were to understand issues regarding women's freedom to choose amongst preventive options and set up preventive practices for her infant and herself. | ||||
| Method / Issue: This paper is revisiting material collected between 2003 and 2005. Fifty three HIV positive mothers were interviewed twice about their feeding preferences and practices. 46 were supposed to have been contaminated through their husband. Data on the emotional issues regarding their perception of husband infidelity is presented in parallel with the social workers reactions, taken from transcripts of open interviews (no scale was used) and informal encounters. | ||||
| Results / Comments: The 24 interviewees were mainly from Phnom Penh, with a low economic and educational background. Mean age was 28 and mean number of children more than 2. Half of them were living alone (separated or widowed) or had to care for an already sick husband. Most of the women who gave an account of their feelings described an evolving situation, from initial anger or shock to stress and depression. A majority (16) did not confront their husband. Half of them declared that they were not angry or even absolved their partner, giving health, economic or religious reasons. Suppressed feelings and avoidance of confrontation was familiar but often disapproved by interviewers and health staff in private, sometimes vigorously. While both groups share the same cultural values about public display of emotions, the counsellors gave class meanings to their clients apparent lack of antagonism in that type of situation. While extreme reactions to marital indiscretion (acid throwing) have been reported as growing in Cambodia, silent despondency is more frequent. | ||||
| Discussion: While different categories of responses could be registered, the title reflects an opinion often expressed by social workers in contact with women victim of abuses and violence. It triggers indignation among educated women in the medical and social sector. These data raises questions about Cambodian womens internalisation of new gender relations norms, class issues between counsellors and patients, and the need to better train social workers about their own emotions. Previous multicultural analysis on gendered responses to sexual jealousy and female strategies to protect a relationship is questioned in regard to the Cambodian context. An historical perspective explains how political and demographic events have altered womens status in the Cambodian society since the 1980s, depriving them of the negotiating powers they used to exert in marital conflicts. From an applied point of view, these resentments need to be addressed in the debriefing of HIV VCCT counsellors in order to improve patients/staff relations but also because they could be harnessed into positive change factors. | ||||
| Go Back | ||||
