The HIV and AIDS Community Home Based Care Programme and Its Gender Implications: The Case of Entumbane Community

Abstract

Bulawayo is at the heart of AIDS pandemic, with HIV prevalence figures consistently higher than other provinces in Zimbabwe, currently standing at 11,6 %. The purpose of this study was to explore and discuss gender discrepancies in HIV and AIDS community home based care programme in Entumbane' CHBC in Bulawayo. The study discussed the experiences of PLWHA who are on CHBC. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were utilized to collect information from knowledgeable individuals regarding their own and other people's experiences, who are beneficiaries of Entumbane CHBC .A purposive sample of ninety participants from Entumbane community was purposefully selected for the study. All participants are beneficiaries of community home based care and are part of the Entumbane community. These individuals were identified for their potential to elicit valuable information since they are beneficiaries of the programme. The review literature gives some detailed analytical views on the prevalence of the pandemic and the gender discrepancies in the CHBC. The aspect of CHBC is discussed, for the role it is playing as well as the contribution it is making, albeit, in a limited manner because of resources, expertise and support from formal authority structures. In presentation, analysis and interpretations of data it is clear picture that reflects gender discrepancies in the Entumbane CHBC. The big challenge of gender imbalance in CHBC has to be squarely addressed. The fact that care giving is dominated by women demonstrates the process of gender imbalance, inequality and inequity. Conclusions were made that women and girls are at the highest risk as they bear the burden of care. It was therefore recommended that the government and its stakeholders should develop gender equality and women's social, economic status through promotion of education, provision of loans and provisions of gender sensitive trainings.