Wella, K., Webber, S.A. orcid.org/0000-0002-2280-9519 and Levy, P. (2017) Myths about HIV and AIDS among serodiscordant couples in Malawi. Aslib Journal of Information Management, 69 (3). pp. 278-293. ISSN 1464-8849
Abstract
Purpose: The paper reports on research that uncovered myths about HIV and AIDS held by serodiscordant couples in Malawi, and the sources of these myths. The paper reflects on how the myths affect serodiscordant couples’ engagement with HIV and AIDS information.
Design Van Manen's (1997) approach to analysis of phenomenological data is used to analyse data from indepth interviews conducted in Malawi with 21 serodiscordant couples and 3 individuals who had separated from their partners because of serodiscordance.
Findings Serodiscordant couples in Malawi believe and hold on to some inaccurate HIV and AIDS information that can be seen as ‘myths’. Some of these myths are perpetuated by official HIV and AIDS information when it is translated into the local languages. Other myths derive from social norms of the societies where the couples live.
Practical implications: The findings of this paper have practical implications for how HIV and AIDS information providers should engage with target audiences to understand the origins of the myths they hold. The findings also imply that some myths have technical, religious, moral and cultural bases which need to be addressed before challenging the myth itself.
Originality/Value: Using real-life descriptions of experiences of HIV and AIDS information provided by serodiscordant couples, the authors reveal how myths can affect engagement with the information. The authors make recommendations on how to address myths in ways that contribute to a positive experience of HIV and AIDS information by serodiscordant couples
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 Emerald Publishing Limited. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Aslib Journal of Information Management. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | HIV; AIDS; Myths; Serodiscordance; Information Behaviour; Malawi |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Information School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 10 May 2017 11:43 |
Last Modified: | 18 Jul 2017 04:08 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1108/AJIM-12-2016-0202 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald Publishing Group |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/AJIM-12-2016-0202 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:116139 |