Coping strategies of low-income households in relation to HIV/AIDS and food security.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate coping strategies employed by low-income
households of Sweetwaters KwaZulu-Natal, who have members who are infected with
HIV in ensuring food security when dealing with HIV/AIDS. This study was based on
households who have members living openly with HIV/AIDS and who were members
of a support group of HIV positive people.
This study was conducted between July 2003 and June 2004. Focus group meetings
were conducted with a support group of 26 members (Philani Support Group).
Questionnaires, group discussions and observations were used to collect data from
households. In order for the study to investigate coping strategies, the following sub-problems
were investigated to measure changes before and after illness or death in
household: changes in finances, changes in food habits, social aspect of studied
household which included infrastructure (housing, roads, water, sanitation and energy);
external and internal support.
There were no major differences in coping strategies, but the structure, resources and
size of households informed their coping strategies. Food was the centre of all activities
of households. As the ability of the household to produce food or earn income
decreased, the need for food increased. Government social grants have been shown to
be the main resource for coping (they enabled households to cope or survive).
It is recommended that low-income households affected by HIV/AIDS and totally
dependent on grants should be helped not to develop a dependency syndrome by
implementing strategies that will encourage active participation and deal with
passiveness that exists within low-income households of Sweetwaters affected by
HIV/AIDS. As this study indicates that there are no resources on which concerned
households depend, it suggests a greater need for capital to boost the household and
strategies for households to be able to sustain themselves.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.
Keywords
Food security--KwaZulu-Natal--Sweetwaters., Food supply--KwaZulu-Natal., Rural poor--KwaZulu-Natal., Households--KwaZulu-Natal., Aids (Disease)--Economic aspects--KwaZulu-Natal., Aids (Disease)--Social aspects--KwaZulu-Natal., HIV infections--KwaZulu-Natal., Sociology, Rural., Theses--Community resources.