Sex-role patterns: implications for AIDS in children

Abstract

The paper discusses the implications of some maternal practices and sex-role pat terns on children's susceptibility to HIV infection. Attention was drawn to the num ber of children deprived of their parents by AIDS and also to the high number of chil dren who have died of AIDS. It was thus necessary to find out whether these women were aware of the implications of their sexual behaviour and whether they were knowledgeable about AIDS and its mode of transmission. Most of the women were not aware of the mode of transmission even though they were aware of the ailment. Those of low educational status tended to perceive AIDS more within the preterna tural realm. They, again tended more to abstain from sexual relations at the onset of pregnancy. All the women regardless of their educational status stated that they could not tell their husbands to use condoms in order to avoid conflicts. The study thus emphasized the need for health education which would utilize local resources such as women leaders and organisations.